Shoulder decisions — 2004

The Board has determined that the veteran's right shoulder disability was incurred during service and is granting service connection for this condition.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The RO found that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the claims for right shoulder, ankle fracture, and low back disorders.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for service connection and a rating in excess of 20 percent for his cervical spine disorder, as well as his claim for service connection for a right shoulder disorder. The RO assigned an effective date of March 18, 1999, for the award of service connection for a cervical spine disorder.

The Board found that the veteran does not have a diagnosed right shoulder disorder and did not suffer an injury or disease of the right shoulder in service. Competent medical evidence also did not relate a right shoulder disorder to the veteran's military service.

The veteran's arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, right shoulder, left hip, right hand, and left hand are all rated at 10 percent. The rating for arthritis of the right shoulder has been increased to 30 percent effective November 23, 2002.

The Board has determined that the veteran's disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension on account of the need for aid and attendance or being housebound.

The veteran seeks service connection for a right shoulder disability. The case is being remanded due to incomplete medical records and the need for further development, including obtaining statements from the veteran's wife and mother.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder separation, left shoulder separation, and residuals of right 5th finger fracture. The claim for an increased rating for residuals of left 3rd middle finger fracture was also denied.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for a right ankle disability, but denied reopening of his claim for left shoulder disability.,A VA examination is needed to determine if the current right ankle disability is related to an in-service injury.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination, including obtaining medical records from service and determining if any diagnosed conditions are related to military service.

The Board denied the veteran's application to reopen his claims for service connection for right and left shoulder disabilities, finding that no new and material evidence had been submitted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete medical records and inadequate VCAA notice.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the failure to provide proper notice and scheduling for a Travel Board hearing. The RO must ensure compliance with the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 (VCAA) by providing appropriate notice and readjudicating the claims.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder, tuberculosis, a right shoulder condition, and an allergic reaction. The veteran did not meet the criteria for these conditions based on his service records.

The Board has denied increased ratings for postoperative recurrent shoulder dislocations. The case is being remanded to the RO for further development, including obtaining additional medical evidence and arranging for a VA examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to increased evaluations for his left knee disability and service connection for bilateral shoulder, sinus, and right knee disabilities due to a lack of evidence showing these conditions were related to service.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder was denied. The issue of new and material evidence for cervical osteoarthritis and left shoulder disorder was granted, but the veteran's request for a compensable evaluation for his left wrist ganglion cyst was denied.,The veteran has not provided sufficient evidence to establish that his current conditions are related to service.

The Board denied service connection for a left elbow disability, a left shoulder disability, and the reopening of a previously denied claim for residuals of lumbosacral strain. The veteran's fracture of the left fifth and tenth ribs was not rated as compensable.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an effective date prior to September 27, 2001 for a total rating due to unemployability caused by service-connected disabilities and whether the representative's communication constituted a valid Notice of Disagreement. The veteran was granted a TR with an effective date of September 27, 2001.