Shoulder decisions — 2010

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development due to incomplete VCAA notice and the need to obtain SSA records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder strain is related to his service and granted service connection for this condition. The Veteran also had a history of lipoma scars rated at 10 percent prior to October 23, 2008, and GERD with steatosis of the liver with early fibrosis rated at 10 percent.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for PTSD with major depression and service connection for right shoulder, thoracic spine, and lumbar spine disabilities. The issues involving a higher rating for PTSD and service connection for a lumbar spine disability are remanded.

The Board has ordered additional development due to the lack of examination for certain disabilities and remanded the case back to the RO for further action.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to determine the etiology of his claimed disabilities and whether they are related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for hearing loss in the right ear, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to a ruptured eardrum during military service. The other claims of service connection are pending.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of a left shoulder condition and remanded it for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling an orthopedic examination.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD with major depression, which constitutes a complete grant of the Veteran's psychiatric disability claim. As such, no discussion of VA's duty to notify or assist is necessary.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records from Drs. RSL and SP.

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

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings have been denied. The right shoulder and right middle finger disabilities are currently rated at the maximum allowed under VA regulations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his service-connected left shoulder disability and secondary service connection for a back disorder, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating under applicable criteria.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his left shoulder disability is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and consideration of other factors such as employment records.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a TDIU prior to June 2, 2006 was denied as the preponderance of evidence showed he was not unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities. The issue regarding whether the January 28, 2004 RO decision should be revised or reversed on CUE is also denied.

The Board denied service connection for bipolar disorder, right foot disorder, and right shoulder disorder as secondary to a service-connected low back disability. The Veteran's claims were not granted.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for his service-connected bilateral knee and shoulder disabilities were granted, but the assigned ratings of 10 percent for left knee disability, zero percent for right knee sprain, and zero percent for bilateral shoulder sprain are found to be appropriate based on the current evidence.

The Veteran seeks service connection for bilateral hip, back, shoulder, and arm disabilities. The Board has remanded the case for additional development.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not preclude him from substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for status post staph infection of left shoulder surgery from January 26, 2004 to March 1, 2004 was denied. The Board found that the disability at issue prior to March 2, 2004 did not include any orthopedic impairment and only encompassed a tender or painful scar.

The Board has remanded the case for additional procedural action and to obtain a VA examination for the sleep disorder issue. The bilateral shoulder disability claim is still pending.