Shoulder decisions — 2010

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining and retaining employment consistent with his abilities, aptitudes, and interests; therefore, he does not have a serious employment handicap and is not entitled to vocational rehabilitation training under Chapter 31 of Title 38, United States Code.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for additional action, including affording him a VA examination and reviewing his claims file.

The Board found that the Veteran's pre-existing left shoulder condition was not aggravated by service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board granted service connection for nerve damage of the right arm, shoulder, and upper back as secondary to service-connected left upper extremity disability. The effective date for TDIU was set at June 24, 1996.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for hearing loss, bilateral shoulder disorder, and bilateral knee disorder. The appeals were decided on a direct basis without any presumption or secondary theory.

The Board has found that the appellant's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, and a left shoulder disability must be remanded due to incomplete records and need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's asthma, GERD, right shoulder, and right ankle disabilities were not found to warrant increased evaluations. The appellant did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for a right shoulder disability and has determined that he meets the criteria for service connection. The appeal regarding the right knee disability is remanded due to incomplete information.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for a VA examination to determine the nature, extent, and etiology of his claimed shoulder, knee, and headache disabilities as well as the severity of his service-connected thoracolumbar strain.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a chronic left rhomboid or cervical spine disability in service, and the medical opinion provided does not support a finding that any current disabilities are related to service. Therefore, service connection for these conditions cannot be granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The decision did not address the issue of service connection, as it was addressed in a separate remand.

The Veteran's right shoulder acromioclavicular arthritis is rated at 10 percent. The claims for service connection of a prostate disorder, low back disorder, and bilateral wrist disorders are granted as new and material evidence has been received. The claim for service connection of the right elbow, low back, and left knee disorders remains pending.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for a bilateral shoulder disability and asbestosis, as well as his claim for TDIU, are being remanded due to incomplete development.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability has been rated at 20 percent since September 16, 2005. The Board found that the impairment from September 16, 2005 to September 25, 2005 and from April 1, 2006 forward is comparable to limitation of motion to shoulder level.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of records. The issues include bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, right shoulder disability, low back disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, left eye disability (post-surgical scar), and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD).

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are severe enough to prevent her from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for arthritis of the left shoulder was withdrawn. The RO continued a 30 percent rating for his right shoulder disability, and the case is remanded for further development including a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal was granted, and he is now service-connected for his right shoulder condition. However, the initial evaluation assigned remains at 0 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a lack of hearing on some issues and because one claim is stayed based on new presumptions. The remaining eight claims are pending.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for back and bilateral shoulder disorders, which he attributes to inservice gunshot wounds. The Board finds there is a further duty to assist the Veteran with his claims and remands the case for additional development.