Shoulder Board decisions

The Board has determined that the veteran's right shoulder and cervical spine conditions are service-connected, with the right shoulder condition being secondary to his service-connected right forearm gunshot wound residuals.

The Board found that a rating in excess of 30 percent for residuals of a left shoulder injury is not warranted based on the current evidence. The veteran's condition was primarily manifested by rotator cuff tendinitis, adhesive capsulitis, and limitation of motion to 25 degrees from the side.

The Board denied the veteran's requests for earlier effective dates for his service-connected right shoulder and left leg disabilities, finding that there was no factual basis to assign compensable ratings prior to July 29, 1994.,There is no medical evidence of treatment or evaluation concerning the service-connected right shoulder and left leg scars at any time prior to July 29, 1994.

The veteran's claims for service connection for joint pain of the upper extremities, seborrheic dermatitis, and GERD/hiatal hernia were denied. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The veteran's right shoulder and left shoulder conditions have been increased to 30 percent and 20 percent, respectively. The evaluations are effective December 20, 1999.

The Board has ordered the RO to provide a VA examination for the veteran's right shoulder and right ankle disabilities, as well as readjudicate his claims. The case is being remanded due to failure of the RO to comply with prior instructions.

The Board has granted a 20 percent disability evaluation for the veteran's right shoulder disorder, finding that symptomatology more nearly approximates nonunion of the clavicle with loose movement as contemplated by DC 5203.

The veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the extent of impairment caused by his service-connected residuals of skin lesions of the right shoulder and left knee.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected right shoulder disability was denied as the current evaluation of 20 percent adequately reflects the functional impairment due to pain and other symptoms.

The veteran's malignant melanoma of the left shoulder was not incurred in or aggravated by active service, nor may it be presumed to have been incurred in active service. The claim is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of a triangular fibrocartilage injury of the right wrist and impingement syndrome of the right shoulder, but denied service connection for any multiple joint disorder affecting the ankles, feet, left shoulder, or left elbow.

The veteran is seeking to reopen his claim for service connection for cervical and shoulder disability. The RO has requested additional information from the U.S. Coast Guard regarding their actions in evaluating the veteran's disabilities.

The veteran's appeals for increased ratings for lumbar disc disease and left shoulder separation were denied by the RO.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected right knee and right shoulder disabilities, finding that they did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation under the applicable rating schedule.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claims for service connection for neck and right shoulder disabilities. The issue is now remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected left shoulder disability does not warrant a higher rating than the current 20 percent due to limitations in range of motion, but no effective date is assigned as there are no findings related to this issue.

The Board has determined that the veteran's degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and is not related to a service-connected disability. The right shoulder injury residuals are currently manifested but do not warrant an increased rating.

The veteran's claim for reflex sympathetic dystrophy was denied. The claims for service connection for right and left knee disorders, PTSD, and a back disorder were also denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected right shoulder disability warrants a 20 percent evaluation, and his service-connected right chest disorder does not warrant an increased rating.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and readjudication due to new legislation, including a request for additional VA examination records and notification of the type of evidence needed to substantiate the claims.