Shoulder decisions — 2008

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound was remanded due to incomplete development. The RO is instructed to provide separate disability ratings for identified conditions and re-adjudicate the claim.

The veteran's claims for service connection of bilateral shoulder, foot, and low back disabilities, as well as his claim for an initial compensable evaluation for the residuals of fracture of the medial epicondyle of the left elbow are being remanded due to incomplete or unavailable medical records. The veteran needs to be provided with a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a dislocated right shoulder and a heart disorder manifested by heart valve snapping, finding no current medical evidence of these conditions.

The Board found that the veteran did not have a right shoulder disorder in service and that there is no evidence of continuity of symptoms after service. The claim for service connection was denied.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his left shoulder disability, which is currently rated at 20 percent. The evidence showed that the veteran had limited motion in the shoulder but no significant weakness or other functional limitations.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his right shoulder disability, finding that the evidence did not warrant a higher rating.

The Board found that the veteran does not have a current bilateral shoulder disability and thus denied her claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected residuals of a GSW to the right shoulder do not warrant a rating in excess of 40 percent, as they are manifested by decreased range of motion and some fatigability after repeated use with heavy lifting. The veteran's service-connected right median nerve entrapment at the carpal tunnel is also rated at its maximum allowable under the applicable rating criteria.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right knee arthritis, which manifested within one year of separation from active service, is presumed to have had its onset during his active service. The veteran does not have a current disability of either shoulder.

The veteran's disabilities, including right hip disability and diabetes, do not meet the criteria for a permanent and total disability rating for VA pension purposes due to their combined rating of 40 percent. The RO assigned ratings based on each individual condition under the appropriate diagnostic codes.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims due to the need for additional examinations and development of his medical records.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his service-connected right shoulder wound, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for left shoulder and left hand degenerative joint disease, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to his active duty or a service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed knee, ankle, and shoulder disabilities, as well as his body cramps, are not related to service or service-connected conditions. The claims for service connection have been denied.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for left shoulder impingement syndrome effective February 7, 2008.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims due to incomplete records and need for further examination. The issues include service connection, increased ratings for back disorder and hypertension with kidney dysfunction.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection of various conditions, including an ear condition and bilateral hearing loss, have been withdrawn. The remaining issues are denied due to lack of evidence supporting the claims.

The Board has determined that a higher initial rating is not warranted for the veteran's left shoulder disability. Consequently, no effective date will be assigned.

The veteran's claims are being remanded for further development, including scheduling VA examinations and providing proper VCAA notice.

The veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant due to his inability to use an electric scooter, walker, or cane as a normal mode of locomotion.