Shoulder decisions — 2004

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating were denied. The right shoulder disability claim is pending, the cervical spine disability issue was not addressed due to lack of timely notice of disagreement, and the hemorrhoids claim remains unresolved.

The Board determined that the veteran's left shoulder disability does not result in significant functional impairment, and thus denied her claim for an initial compensable rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected low back strain with degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease warrants a combined rating of 50 percent, but no higher.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The issues of service connection for residuals of a left shoulder injury and an increased rating for low back disability are also being addressed.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for his left shoulder disability is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and consideration of the case under 38 C.F.R. § 3.321(b).

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including medical examinations and obtaining relevant treatment records.

The case is being remanded for further action due to the submission of additional medical evidence and because the veteran's substantive appeal constitutes a timely notice of disagreement with regard to the claim for special monthly compensation based on loss of use of the left upper extremity.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a neck disorder and granted an increased evaluation for right shoulder subluxation and snapping. The left shoulder disability is not addressed in this decision.

The veteran's appeal is about the initial rating assigned for his right shoulder disability after service connection was granted. The RO needs to provide proper VCAA notice and complete any necessary development before deciding this case.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The VA found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for tinea versicolor, shell fragment wound of the left anterior chest wall, or bilateral sensorineural hearing loss.

The veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis of multiple joints are denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for vocational rehabilitation services, finding that he did not have an employment handicap and thus did not meet the eligibility criteria under Chapter 31 of Title 38.

The VA has determined that there is no evidence to support a current left shoulder disability and it was not incurred during service. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for post-operative lumbar spine degenerative disc disease with laminectomy residuals, finding that the veteran's current condition is related to his inservice trauma. The issues of service connection for chronic hearing loss disability, a chronic shoulder disorder, and a chronic hip disorder are remanded for further development.

The Board denied service connection for a left shoulder disorder.,The Board granted service connection for a right shoulder disorder at a 10 percent disability rating, effective from June 24, 2001.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination and consideration of the claim with consideration of Fenderson v. West.

The veteran's claims for increased disability evaluations for his post-operative right shoulder dislocation and left shoulder degenerative joint disease are being remanded due to the need for additional development of medical records.

The veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his representative prior to the Board making a decision.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed right shoulder, left hip, and bilateral hearing loss disorders are not service-connected. The evidence does not show any specific diagnoses or findings related to these conditions during active service.