Shoulder decisions — 2010

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have been rated at the maximum available rating of 20 percent for each condition. No further increase in ratings is warranted.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is currently rated at 30 percent, the maximum allowable rating under Diagnostic Code 5201. The evidence does not show that his range of motion or other symptoms warrant a higher evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining relevant medical records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for left shoulder injury secondary to his service-connected lumbosacral strain with degenerative joint disease has been withdrawn.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as his right shoulder disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes. A separate compensable rating of 10% was granted for a scar from previous surgery on the right shoulder.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not have a right shoulder disorder at any time since his discharge from service, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Board denied service connection for a right shoulder disability and hemorrhoids. The Veteran's claims were not supported by new and material evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection and initial compensable ratings, finding no evidence of additional symptomatology beyond some pain at the operative scar site. The claim for an increased rating for residuals of appendectomy was also denied.

The VA has granted service connection for degenerative joint disease of the right shoulder and assigned an initial 10 percent evaluation, effective February 25, 2003. The Veteran's appeal is not about service connection at all.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder disability is proximately due to or the result of his service-connected cervical spine disability, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for a hearing at the RO before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Veteran's appeal is mixed, with some issues granted and others not. The right shoulder disorder claim was dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran. The neck disorder claim has been reopened based on new evidence.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss disability was incurred in service and is granted. The left ear hearing loss disability and bilateral shoulder disorder are not attributable to service.

The Veteran withdrew the appeal on the issue of service connection for headaches prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a left shoulder injury and leg injury were previously denied. The RO found no evidence of current disabilities related to his period of service. His claim for prostate disorder was also denied as there is no evidence of prostate cancer, which would allow for presumptive service connection based on Agent Orange exposure.

The Board found that the Veteran's left shoulder disorder did not manifest during service and is not related to his service-connected right shoulder or bilateral knee disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for clarification of her military service dates, additional medical records, and further examination.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a left shoulder disability due to new and material evidence submitted since the February 1988 decision. The issue is now whether this condition was incurred or aggravated by service.