Shoulder Board decisions

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for annual clothing allowance was denied as the application was not filed within one year of entitlement.

The Board found that the veteran's heart disease, arthritis of multiple joints (excluding right ankle and ring finger), and lung disorder were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The appeal was denied for all issues on appeal.

The veteran's appeal is denied as his left shoulder disability does not warrant a higher initial rating than the currently assigned 20 percent.

The Board has reopened the veteran's previously denied claims for service connection for a back disorder and a left shoulder disorder, finding that new and material evidence was submitted. The effective date of these determinations is not specified.

The Board has determined that the veteran's preexisting left shoulder disorder did not worsen during service, and thus cannot be granted service connection for a current left shoulder disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left shoulder and left hip disabilities are service-connected, with a rating of 30%.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder trauma and scoliosis, thoracic and lumbar spine with recurrent low back pain. However, further development is needed to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The veteran is seeking an increased rating for his service-connected post-operative residuals of recurrent subluxation of the left (minor) shoulder. The RO has requested additional medical evidence and scheduled a VA examination to determine the current severity of the disability.

The veteran's right shoulder disability was granted a 60 percent rating from May 1, 1999. The left shoulder disability is currently rated at 20 percent.

The veteran's appeal is denied as his claims for service connection are not supported by the evidence of record.

The Board has granted a 20 percent disability rating for the veteran's service-connected left shoulder instability, effective from the date of the decision.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for arthritis of the left shoulder, finding that it is not proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected cervical and lumbar spine disabilities.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his right shoulder and left ankle disabilities, as well as a separate claim for an increased evaluation of his right ankle disability. The current ratings for these conditions are 20% for the right shoulder and left ankle, and 10% for the right ankle.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current right shoulder disorder or any other service-connected condition, and therefore cannot grant service connection for such. The claims for increased ratings are denied as well.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right shoulder disability began during his service and is therefore granted service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected cervical spine disability does not warrant a rating in excess of 40 percent, and his right shoulder injury is currently rated at 20 percent. The claims are denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine disabilities. The claim for an earlier effective date for a right shoulder disability was also denied.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his knee disabilities and a compensable rating for his right shoulder injury were granted, with the effective date being January 9, 1998. The veteran was already receiving a 60 percent rating for both knees since December 1, 1997.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher initial evaluations for her migraine syndrome, coccyx fracture, left breast scar, and fibrocystic breast disorder. The issues of service connection for a back disorder and neck disorder were also addressed but are pending as they have been remanded.

The veteran claims compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for left shoulder, donor site, scar and tissue loss as a result of VA medical treatment. The Board finds that additional development is needed to determine if the additional disability or death resulted from VA hospital care, medical or surgical treatment.