Shoulder decisions — 2007

The veteran's appeals for increased ratings were denied. The RO found that the service-connected scars and wounds did not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a cardiovascular disorder, finding no evidence of such condition related to active duty or within one year post-service. The left shoulder separation is currently rated at 10%.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his right shoulder and left knee disabilities, finding that a rating in excess of 20 percent was not warranted under applicable diagnostic codes.

The veteran's claims for right shoulder strain, left shoulder strain, bilateral ear pain, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus were all denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities or a link to service.

The veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and a left shoulder condition were denied. The right ankle condition claim is pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to the unavailability of service medical records and the need for additional development, including notifying the veteran about alternative forms of evidence he can submit.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including a VA examination and obtaining medical records. The veteran's current left shoulder disability is being evaluated for its relation to his military service.

The Board has determined that service connection is not warranted for residuals of a cold injury to the feet, otosclerosis, hearing loss, or left shoulder condition.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a left eye disorder and granted an initial 30 percent disability rating for dysthymia and major depressive disorder. The other claims remain denied.

The Board has determined that there is no medical evidence linking current right shoulder or left leg disorders to service, and the over 40-year gap from separation until treatment for these conditions makes it unlikely they are related. Therefore, the claims for service connection have been denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a right shoulder disability or dysthymic disorder related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting evidence regarding the nature and cause of the veteran's hip and shoulder disabilities, including recent medical studies. The VA is instructed to obtain additional clinical evidence and coordinate examinations by specialists in neurology, rheumatology, psychiatry, and orthopedics.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for higher ratings for his left shoulder disability and gastrointestinal disorder, finding that the evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board denied the veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for left shoulder dislocation, finding no new and material evidence had been submitted.

The Board has determined that the reduction of the veteran's rating from 20% to 10% for his service-connected status post left shoulder separation was appropriate based on improvement in his condition as evidenced by medical findings.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and accrued benefits, finding that he did not have a claim pending at the time of his death or be entitled to them under an existing rating or decision.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is needed to address the claims for secondary service connection, as the January 2005 VA examiner's opinion was inadequate and did not consider the veteran's documented medical history.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a current diagnosis of a right shoulder disorder nor a right shoulder injury in service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for residuals of a right shoulder injury is denied.

The Board finds that the criteria for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred on March 1, 2005 at the Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center have been met due to a relative equipoise in evidence regarding whether arthroscopic surgery was rendered in a medical emergency and VA facilities were not feasibly available.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain medical records from the Alamosa Hospital and VA facilities in Lakewood and Denver, Colorado. The issues of service connection for a right shoulder disability as secondary to left knee and lumbar spine disabilities and whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for a right knee disability will be reconsidered.