Shoulder decisions — 2011

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings and service connection due to unclear action on TDIU, and because of a need for additional medical opinions regarding psychiatric disorders and spine disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected right shoulder disability, manifested by pain and occasional looseness but with normal range of motion above shoulder level, does not warrant a rating higher than 10 percent.

The Veteran's current diagnoses of cervical strain, degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine, and arthralgia of the left shoulder are considered to be related to his military service.,Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board found no evidence of a service-connected condition for the claimed disabilities and denied all claims.

The Veteran's right shoulder arthroscopy residuals were evaluated as 10 percent disabling from August 1, 2006 to June 1, 2009. Since June 2, 2009, the disability has been rated at 30 percent.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to verify the Veteran's service dates and determine if his current right ankle disorder is related to service. The case will be remanded for further action.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the effect of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Board has remanded the claims for a hearing before a Member of the Board at the local VA office using the current address provided by the Veteran. The claims are not about service connection and thus do not specify a service connection theory.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for educational assistance benefits under Chapter 33, Title 38, United States Code (Post-9/11 GI Bill) because he did not meet the basic eligibility requirements due to insufficient active duty service and a discharge reason other than a disability.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability, chronic sinusitis, headaches, a right inguinal hernia, and hemorrhoids. The remaining issues have been remanded.

The Board has determined that the termination of the Veteran's TDIU rating was improper and restored his TDIU rating, effective December 1, 2009.

The Veteran's left knee, right knee, and right shoulder disorders were not shown to be related to service or any disability incurred therein. The Board found no continuity of symptoms since service separation.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination to determine if there is a current disability related to service, including exposure to tear gas in Vietnam. The claims of service connection will be adjudicated after this additional development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in the loss of or the loss of use of his hands, do not result in blindness, were not the result of burns, and were not the result of an inhalation injury. Therefore, he is not eligible for a special home adaptation grant.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected SFW disabilities and their impact on his ability to work.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to determine if his service-connected disabilities have caused him to be permanently bedridden, in need of regular aid and attendance, or rendered him permanently housebound for special monthly compensation.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of his left shoulder disability was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show any additional limitation of motion or other symptoms warranting a higher rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a sleep disorder and a right shoulder disability, finding that new evidence did not reopen his previously denied claim. The Board also found no direct or secondary service connection based on the current evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left wrist, left shoulder, and right shoulder disorders. The Board found no evidence of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions, and there was insufficient competent medical evidence linking any current disabilities to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him in need of regular aid and attendance of another person, as his physical limitations are primarily due to non-service-connected conditions such as Alzheimer's disease.