Shoulder Board decisions

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for higher initial ratings and service connection due to incomplete information, need for further examination, and potential changes in rating criteria.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for further development.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, a neck disorder, and a right shoulder disorder due to lack of evidence showing these conditions were related to his military service.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities of the right lower extremity have resulted in a significant impairment, necessitating his use of a cane and wheelchair for ambulation. As such, he is eligible for financial assistance in purchasing an automobile or other conveyance.

The VA determined that the veteran's right shoulder nerve damage was not caused by negligence or fault on the part of VA, and thus denied his claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to receipt of new evidence after a Statement of the Case was issued.

The Board finds that the veteran does not have a right shoulder or right arm disability related to his military service.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for postoperative residuals of dislocation of the left shoulder, finding that the disability is manifested by limitation of motion above shoulder level and atrophy of the shoulder girdle.

The veteran's headaches are rated at the highest schedular evaluation of 50 percent, effective from the date service connection was granted. The right shoulder and cervical spine disabilities each receive a 30 percent rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for back disorder, shoulder disorder (unspecified), neck disorder, and left ear hearing loss. The Board also found that no new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen claims of service connection for headaches and hypertension. Additionally, the Board denied a claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for PTSD and a claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for bilateral tinnitus.

The Board has granted compensable ratings (10%) for the residuals of shell fragment wounds of the left shoulder and left forearm, effective as of the date of the decision.

The Board has determined that the appeal is REMANDED to the RO for further development and consideration of the veteran's claims.

The veteran's death was due to hypertensive arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease. At the time of his death, he had service-connected disabilities rated at 90 percent combined evaluation. The Board found that DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 were not met as the veteran did not meet the criteria for a 100% total rating due to service-connected disability continuously for ten years prior to death or five years from discharge.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected disabilities were denied. The RO granted the initial compensable evaluations, but did not address the issues on appeal.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a bilateral shoulder disability due to new and material evidence submitted since the last denial. However, the evidence does not establish that any current shoulder condition is related to active duty.

The Board has granted an additional 10 percent rating for each of the veteran's service-connected shoulder disabilities, based on pain and functional loss.

The veteran is seeking service connection for an upper back and neck disability, which he claims developed secondary to his service-connected right shoulder disorder. The Board has requested a remand due to the need for further examination by a rheumatologist.

The appeal is remanded to the Appeals Management Center (AMC) in Washington, DC for further action. The veteran's claims for service connection and reopening of his PTSD claim are being reviewed.

The Board found no evidence of current shoulder, allergic reaction to penicillin, or back disability. The veteran's service medical records do not show any chronic conditions related to these issues.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right shoulder disorder is related to his service-connected occipital skull fracture and neck injury, granting service connection for this condition.