Shoulder decisions — 2005

The Board has found that the veteran's right shoulder disability, which is manifested by symptoms in an unexceptional disability picture but with additional motion loss due to pain, more nearly approximates limitation of the right arm between the side and shoulder level. The Board has granted a 40 percent rating for this condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease, C5-7, and degenerative joint disease, recurrent pains in the neck radiating to joints of shoulder, elbow, and hands, finding that these conditions were not related to active service.

The veteran's claim for a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes was denied due to his failure to report for VA examinations scheduled in conjunction with his claim.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not currently suffer from a shoulder disorder and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for recurrent hemorrhoids, but denied service connection for low back and left shoulder conditions.,There is no evidence of a low back or left shoulder condition during active duty for training.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a left shoulder disorder in service and no competent evidence linking the current condition to service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for a left shoulder disorder is denied.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a right shoulder dislocation, finding no evidence of such condition related to his military service.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unemployable prior to December 31, 2001. His effective date for the TDIU is therefore set at that date.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues involving service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and bipolar disorder. The right shoulder and chest strain issue remains pending.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current disability of bilateral shoulder condition, and there is no evidence of such in or after service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for bilateral shoulder condition (claimed as arthritis of the shoulders) is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to procedural and substantive reasons, including scheduling a VA examination at the Sepulveda VA facility.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and scheduling examinations to determine the nature and severity of his service-connected conditions.

The Board denied a compensable rating for the service-connected right shoulder disability and denied an increased rating for Tietze's syndrome.

The Board has decided that further development is needed due to insufficient medical evidence linking the veteran's reported conditions to his military service. The appeal will be returned for this purpose.

The Board has determined that no new and material evidence was submitted to reopen the veteran's claims for service connection for shrapnel wounds of the left knee and left shoulder, which were previously denied in August 1997.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and opinion regarding whether the veteran's left arm/shoulder pain and numbness are related to his service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine.

The Board has determined that a medical examination is necessary to determine the exact nature and etiology of the veteran's claimed left shoulder and headache disorders, as well as the current severity of his service-connected right shoulder disability. The case is being remanded for these purposes.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than September 3, 1996 for the grant of special monthly compensation based on housebound status. The decision stated that there was no prior claim and that the veteran did not meet the criteria for benefits at the 'housebound' rate under 38 U.S.C.A. 1114(s).

The Board has denied service connection for arthritis of the right shoulder and a 100% rating for PTSD prior to April 22, 2002.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for additional development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for an orthopedic examination. The case will be returned to the Board for further review.