Shoulder decisions — 2009

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records from the Erie County Medical Center and Buffalo General Hospital. The issues of higher initial evaluations for hemorrhoids, service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae, whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim for service connection for a right shoulder disorder, and entitlement to TDIU are being addressed.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluation of his right middle finger disability and service connection for his right elbow and shoulder conditions were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for the right middle finger condition or service connection for the right elbow and shoulder conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right shoulder disorder is being remanded due to the need for a medical opinion regarding the etiology of his current condition.

The Veteran's service-connected right shoulder injury, now diagnosed as traumatic calcific bursitis with mild spinal accessory nerve injury, results in chronic pain and limited motion. The Board finds that a 30 percent evaluation is warranted for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating or service connection.

The Veteran's myofascial pain syndrome affecting the right shoulder, neck, and back is not shown to meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 5025. The evidence does not show widespread musculoskeletal pain and tender points that are constant or nearly so, and refractory to therapy.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple service connection claims for various conditions, including hepatitis C, abdominal disability, head injury/concussion, eye injury/abrasion, black widow spider bite, and asbestos exposure-related disabilities. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and conduct further examinations.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for VA examinations to determine the etiology of any diagnosed conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for left knee trauma and degenerative joint disease, right shoulder bursitis, and right wrist fracture and limitation of motion are denied as the evidence does not support a higher evaluation under applicable rating criteria.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a chronic right ankle, wrist, or shoulder disorder during service or for many years thereafter. The Veteran's current diagnoses are not related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for additional development, including scheduling a videoconference hearing.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for back, left leg, and left hip disabilities. The decision found that new evidence did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim and did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The Veteran is unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment due to the severity of his service-connected disabilities, which include degenerative disc disease, degenerative changes of both knees, diabetes mellitus type 2, pes cavus in both feet, hypertension, arthritic changes of the left shoulder, and rheumatoid arthritis affecting both lower extremities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral Dupuytren's contracture of the hands was incurred in service and granted service connection. However, the right shoulder tendonitis does not meet the criteria for a rating higher than 10 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities and whether referral for extraschedular consideration may be warranted.

The Board found that the Veteran's current cervical spine disorder is not related to his service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred at a private hospital on November 3, 2007 is being remanded due to the lack of supporting VA records and missing private medical records.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left knee, left shoulder, and neck disorders are not related to her military service. The VA examiner concluded these conditions are more likely due to a civilian motor vehicle accident in 2001.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, depression, glaucoma, lumbar degenerative joint disease, left shoulder disorder, neck disorder, and chest pain due to a sternum injury as chronic disabilities resulting from an undiagnosed illness. The claims were remanded on the theory of direct service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back, right shoulder, and right ankle disabilities due to lack of new and material evidence.