Shoulder Board decisions

The Board has reopened the previously denied claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including as secondary to the service-connected L3-L4 bulging disc and degenerative joint disease and chronic lumbosacral fibromyositis. The veteran's claims for left arm, shoulders, and neck disabilities as secondary to the service connected condition and an increased evaluation for the lower back disability are being REMANDED for further development.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher ratings for his right shoulder, ankle, and wrist conditions. The initial rating of 20 percent for post-operative adhesive capsulitis of the right (dominant) shoulder was maintained.

The Board has granted a higher rating of 60 percent for respiratory dysfunction due to a chest wound, and the remaining issues on appeal are remanded.

The Board granted a 10 percent evaluation for arthritis of the left foot and reopened the claim for service connection for headaches. The other issues remain unresolved.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that the veteran's current left shoulder disability is not related to his military service.

The Board has decided that the veteran's left shoulder disorder is not service-connected.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the existence and etiology of any currently manifested neck disorder, back disorder, right shoulder disorder, bilateral arm disorders, post-traumatic headaches, hearing loss, and tinnitus.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his service connection claims.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development and consideration of his claims, including the submission of additional evidence and a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current disability related to his service, and therefore cannot establish entitlement to service connection for any of the conditions listed in his appeal.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The veteran's claims of service connection for arthritis of the knees and shoulders are pending.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder disorder and an initial compensable disability rating for chronic inactive right cervical radiculopathy, finding that he failed to report for a VA examination scheduled in conjunction with his claim for an increased rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his left shoulder disability, finding that motion of the left arm is essentially full and possible well above the left shoulder level with asymptomatic scarring and radiographic findings of arthritis. There are no malunion or dislocation issues.

The veteran's claims for service connection and proper initial ratings on various conditions were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a grant of service connection or an appropriate rating for any of the claimed conditions.

The Board found that the veteran's right shoulder disability did not originate in service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has reopened the claim for postoperative residuals of a myotomy for esotropia of the left eye due to new and material evidence. The veteran's left shoulder disability with subluxation of acromioclavicular joint and distal clavicular degeneration is currently rated at 20 percent, effective October 14, 1997.

The Board has decided to vacate its July 2003 decision as it did not provide full due process regarding the issue of an increase in a combined 30 percent rating for a right shoulder disability, and will enter a new decision on this issue.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have residuals of a shell fragment wound of the left shoulder or PTSD as a result of service. The evidence does not support these claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran's post-operative residuals of a dislocated right shoulder warrant a 20 percent disability rating, resolving all doubts in his favor.

The veteran's claim for a certificate of eligibility for financial assistance in the purchase of an automobile and adaptive equipment or for adaptive equipment only was denied because he does not meet the criteria for such benefits due to his service-connected disabilities.