Shoulder decisions — 2004

The Board has granted the reopening of a claim for service connection for degenerative changes and osteoarthritis of the left shoulder. The issue of entitlement to service connection for residuals of a neck injury is remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the veteran's pre-existing chronic left shoulder disorder was aggravated by his time in active service, and thus grants service connection for a chronic left shoulder disorder.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current right shoulder disability is related to his inservice injury, and service connection for residuals of a right shoulder injury is granted.

The VA denied increased ratings for the veteran's service-connected right foot, left shoulder, and right shoulder disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder and right foot disabilities, but granted entitlement to a 10 percent evaluation for his low back disability. The claim for reopening of the right foot disability was not reopened.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected thoracic spine muscle injury, lumbar spine nerve injury, and right shoulder muscle injury are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of medical records.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any current left shoulder disorder, as it relates to an inservice injury in August 2001.

The veteran's right shoulder injury during police academy training was not part of his approved VA vocational rehabilitation program, and thus compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 is denied.

The RO denied increased ratings for the veteran's service-connected disabilities of Muscle Groups XI and XV in the left leg, as well as his right shoulder disability. The current evidence does not support a higher rating.

The VA has determined that the veteran's right shoulder disability, characterized by impingement and degenerative joint disease, warrants a 10 percent rating.

The Board has granted an increased evaluation of 30 percent for the service-connected left shoulder disability, effective as of the date of this decision.

The VA denied an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for the veteran's right shoulder disability, finding that a 10 percent rating adequately reflects her symptoms and functional limitations.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for his service-connected left shoulder disorder, finding that the evidence did not show he satisfied the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for increased ratings for left and right shoulder calcified bursitis, as well as his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU). The RO assigned separate 10 percent evaluations for each shoulder condition. The appellant was also rated at 50 percent for PTSD.

The veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder and an increased evaluation for his right shoulder disability are being remanded due to the need for clarification of hearing requests, verification of treatment records, and additional development.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected right shoulder disability and consideration of all evidence in his claims file.

The Board denied service connection for allergic rhinitis and a left shoulder disability, finding no evidence of such conditions in service or after service discharge.

The veteran was found to be individually unemployable by reason of service-connected disabilities, effective from March 9, 1995.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right eye scar, left shoulder arthritis, and left arm disability are all related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including new VA examinations and consideration of the appropriate rating criteria.