Shoulder decisions — 2009

The Board has determined that the Veteran's optic neuritis, right eye, is attributable to service and granted service connection for this condition. The issues of service connection for a right arm disorder and degenerative joint disease of the right shoulder are also addressed.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service records and the need for further development of the Veteran's claims.

The Veteran's claim for reimbursement or payment of unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Forsyth Medical Center on September 8, 2007 was denied as the treatment did not meet the criteria set forth in 38 U.S.C.A. § 1728.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have a current back disorder, shoulder disorder, or hypertension that is related to service. The claims for these disabilities are denied.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral shoulder disability and a low back disorder, finding no evidence of such disabilities during or within one year after the Veteran's military service. The current diagnoses were not shown to be related to his active duty.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unemployable, and the claim for TDIU is granted.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen several service connection claims, but the specific evaluations for these conditions remain unchanged.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim of service connection for a right shoulder disability was denied. His claims for increased ratings for left and right knee disabilities were also denied.

The Board has reopened the claim and found new evidence sufficient to reopen the previously denied service connection for a left shoulder disability.

The Board has granted service connection for right shoulder impingement and right shoulder degenerative joint disease, finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's in-service injury.

The Board has granted service connection for the residuals of Valley Fever, finding that the clinical findings in the Veteran's lungs detected in 1977 and present in 2008 are the residuals of infection that was the result of exposure to coccidioides imitis (Valley Fever) during active service. The heart condition and arthritis claims remain pending.

The Veteran's service-connected headaches are rated at a maximum of 50 percent, effective September 2004. The Veteran is granted an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for his service-connected headaches and denied a TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current bilateral heel or right shoulder disability, and thus service connection for these conditions is denied. The initial rating claim for lumbar strain will be addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Veteran's right shoulder degenerative joint disease was not incurred in or aggravated by service and is not causally related to service-connected disability. The issue of an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for residuals of a fractured left clavicle remains pending.

The Board has remanded the case for further action due to issues related to increased ratings and an effective date, as well as a need for additional evidence.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that the veteran's right shoulder disorder is not related to his military service or a service-connected condition, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to inadequate examination reports and incomplete medical records.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection due to clear and unmistakable error in granting service connection for urinary frequency.

The appellant withdrew his appeal regarding a rating in excess of 10 percent for right shoulder impingement before the Board could make a decision.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for cerebrovascular disease and a right shoulder disability, both of which are considered residuals from injuries sustained during active military service.