Shoulder decisions — 2011

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a left shoulder disorder and granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder. The appellant now has evidence showing current diagnoses related to his in-service experiences.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability, post-reconstruction surgery, is currently rated at 30 percent and the current evaluation adequately reflects his functional impairment.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to a lack of sufficient evidence to decide the claim, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling an examination by a medical professional with expertise in rheumatology.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rate of special monthly compensation (SMC) pursuant to 38 U.S.C.A. � 1114(o) is being remanded due to the need for an examination and medical opinion regarding whether the aid and attendance required by the Veteran is for a disability that is separate and distinct from the loss of use of the feet.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain the Veteran's medical records and clarify certain issues. The case will be remanded for these purposes.

The Board found that the Veteran's residuals of bilateral shoulder injury and bilateral eye ailment were not incurred or aggravated by service, nor are they related to any in-service injuries. The claims for these conditions have been denied.

The Veteran's bilateral shoulder conditions have been rated at 20 percent each, effective June 19, 2006. The TDIU claim has also been granted.

The Board has determined that the appellant's left shoulder disability warrants a 20 percent rating, effective January 25, 2005. The temporary total rating for convalescence following surgery was granted from February 10, 2006 to March 31, 2006.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for further development, including a VA examination and additional medical records. The case will be returned to the Board after this process.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining additional service treatment records and verifying his periods of active duty, Air National Guard, Army National Guard, and Army Reserve service. The Veteran will be scheduled for VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for further development, including obtaining all of his Social Security records and VA treatment records since July 2005. The Veteran also needs a VA examination to evaluate his left shoulder disability. His TDIU claim will be adjudicated in light of any additional evidence received.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder, low back, and right knee disabilities. The evidence does not support a finding of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for a cognitive disorder as one of the residuals of TBI sustained in service. The Veteran's TBI is related to an accidental explosion during active duty.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for depression and a left shoulder injury are denied due to lack of credible evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability, characterized by chronic muscular strain, rotator cuff impingement, tendonitis, and moderate frozen shoulder syndrome with degenerative arthritis and a rotator cuff tear, is currently rated at 30 percent under Diagnostic Code 5201. This rating reflects the limitation of motion to less than 25 degrees from the side.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee, left knee, and left shoulder disabilities. This includes obtaining relevant medical records from various providers and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's bilateral knee, shoulder, and cervical spine disabilities were not incurred or aggravated in service. The claims are denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination and adjudication of the service connection claim. The Veteran's appeal is pending.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for low back, left hip, right hip, and left shoulder disabilities due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain medical records and provide a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of her claimed disabilities.