Shoulder decisions — 2007

The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for the veteran's left shoulder injury, status post Mumford procedure.

The Board has determined that the RO's January 2003 decision denying the reopening of the veteran's claim for service connection for a left shoulder disability is being remanded due to procedural errors in notifying the veteran about what constitutes new and material evidence.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection of bilateral shoulder disabilities and remanded it for further development.

The VA denied an increased evaluation for the veteran's recurrent left shoulder dislocation, postoperative condition.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right shoulder and left shoulder disabilities were denied as they did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, finding no current disabilities and insufficient evidence to establish a link between his military service and any diagnosed conditions.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for increased evaluations for his lumbar spine, right knee, and left knee disabilities as well as a compensable evaluation for GERD. The appellant did not meet the criteria for any of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the veteran's left shoulder disability and for a new examination.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities are not of such severity to preclude substantially gainful employment, and he does not meet the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient notice and development of records, including verification of his military service.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left shoulder, right knee, and left knee disabilities have been granted.

The Board denied a rating higher than 20 percent for separation of the left shoulder with arthritis.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities are not of such severity as to preclude substantially gainful employment, and therefore his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a left shoulder disability and granted noncompensable service connection for a low back disability effective March 1, 2001. The veteran was awarded a 10 percent rating for bronchial asthma effective March 1, 2001. For allergic rhinitis, the Board denied claims for higher ratings.

The Board has remanded the case to allow for further review of the claims folder by the Military Order of the Purple Heart, and then to readjudicate the claim.

The Board found that the veteran's current left shoulder disability was not incurred in or aggravated by his active service and is not proximately due to or the result of his service-connected right shoulder disability.

The veteran's appeal for service connection on hearing loss was withdrawn prior to the Board issuing a decision. The remaining issues of skin rash disorder, sleeping problems, and left joint and shoulder pain are being remanded for further development.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance or by reason of being housebound was denied as he does not meet the criteria for either benefit.

The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence is against finding that cervical spine, left knee, or left shoulder disorders were present in-service.,Arthritis may not be presumed to have been incurred due to lack of evidence showing arthritis manifested within one year after separation from active duty.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his medical records and to determine the nature, extent, and etiology of any identified disabilities.