Shoulder decisions — 2004

The Board has granted the veteran's request to reopen his claim for a cervical spine disability. The secondary service connection issue remains unresolved as no disposition was made.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claim of entitlement to a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability (TDIU) by reason of service-connected disabilities due to insufficient medical information and further development is needed.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a hearing before a Decision Review Officer (DRO) and re-adjudication of his claim based on all evidence.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to procedural and evidentiary development needs.

The veteran's service-connected PTSD is rated at 30 percent. The VA denied claims for right shoulder, neck, and hip disorders, headaches, finger amputations, and below the knee amputations as not related to his service.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD was granted, and he is now rated at 50 percent. The claims for increased ratings for the gunshot wounds to the left chest and shoulder were denied. Service connection for a stomach disability other than abdominal cramping due to volvulus of the colon was granted.

The VA has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for reflex sympathetic dystrophy of the left upper extremity and myofascial pain syndrome/fibromyalgia of the neck and shoulders, as these conditions are currently rated at their maximum allowable under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions, including diabetes mellitus, drug addiction, heart disability, and left shoulder disability, were not caused by VA hospitalization or treatment. Therefore, the claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 is denied.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical evaluations and records.

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

The Board has determined that the current rating of 20 percent for postoperative residuals of a dislocated left shoulder is appropriate, as the evidence does not support an increase in disability beyond this level.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and requests that the veteran undergo VA medical examinations for his right shoulder disability, psoriasis, and Peyronie's disease. The rating assigned and effective date are not specified.

The Board has remanded the case due to procedural issues and a need for further development, including obtaining medical records and arranging VA examinations.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right heel disorder, lumbar spine disability, and thoracic spine disability are all related to his active military service. The right shoulder degenerative changes have been rated as non-compensable since April 8, 1994.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting examinations to determine if the veteran's conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for increased ratings due to incomplete VCAA notification and need for additional medical examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a right knee disability and left shoulder arthritis due to procedural issues.,The veteran is also being asked to provide any additional evidence related to his claims.

The veteran's meralgia paresthetica affecting the right hip and thigh regions was found to have originated during service, resulting in a grant of service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a left ankle disability and therefore his claims for service connection for bilateral foot disabilities are denied. The veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder, head injury (including headaches), and back injuries lack legal merit.

The veteran's TDIU claim was granted effective August 2, 2000 due to his service-connected disabilities. However, the Board found that he did not meet the requirements for a prior effective date as of August 2, 2000.