Shoulder decisions — 2011

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left shoulder impingement syndrome does not warrant an extraschedular rating, as the symptoms and severity are already contemplated by the current schedular criteria.

The Veteran's claim for a back disability was denied, but he received an increased rating of 40 percent for right shoulder instability effective June 25, 2008.,Right shoulder instability and left shoulder instability were both granted increased ratings.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claimed disabilities are not related to his active service, and thus denied all of his claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of direct service connection for glaucoma, lumbar degenerative joint disease, left shoulder disorder, neck disorder, and chest pain due to a sternum injury. The preponderance of evidence indicated that these conditions were not related to his active service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of service connection for various disabilities, including severe DJD of the left shoulder status post total left shoulder arthroplasty and cervicalgia. The remaining issues are pending further review.

The Board has denied the reopening of claims for service connection for various conditions, finding that no new and material evidence was submitted to support these claims.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred at two private medical facilities during his traffic accident is denied as he did not meet the eligibility criteria under VA regulations.

The Veteran's left shoulder disorder is currently rated at 20 percent disabling since July 18, 2005. The Board finds that the disability does not warrant a higher rating based on current evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected right shoulder musculoligamentous strain and rotator cuff repair resulted in disability equating to no worse than limitation of motion at shoulder level prior to March 24, 2009. From July 1, 2009, the disability has as likely as not resulted in disability equating to limitation to midway between side and shoulder level with consideration of painful motion, weakness, and fatigability during repetitive motion and flare-ups.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a right shoulder disorder, hypertension, and heart disorder. The Board has remanded the case to obtain additional development regarding these claims.,The Veteran also seeks increased ratings for his PTSD with depressive disorder and neck disorders.

The Board denied service connection for asbestosis, residuals of a back injury, bilateral shoulder disorder, hearing loss, and bad feet including flat feet due to lack of evidence of in-service incurrence or current disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining SSA records and providing a VA examination to address the etiology of his peripheral neuropathy and thoracic spine disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his left shoulder disability, left little finger disability, and left ear hearing loss were denied. The VA found that the disabilities did not warrant a rating higher than 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current right knee disability, but service connection is granted for chronic low back disability and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine. The claim for right shoulder disability is denied.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple conditions and issues related to service connection, with some claims reopened due to new evidence. The case is being remanded for further action.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral shoulder condition as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected residuals of a shell fragment wound to the right hand. The claim for TDIU was also denied.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities prior to May 7, 2002 was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not establish that he was unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation by reason of his service-connected conditions alone before this date.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to clarify the Veteran's claims, including obtaining his service medical records and any relevant Reserve or National Guard records. A VA examination will be scheduled for each of the claimed conditions.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a claim for service connection prior to November 8, 2007. As such, the effective date for the grant of service connection for right shoulder dislocation, postoperative repair, cannot be earlier than November 8, 2007.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed in order to properly adjudicate the appellant's claims, including obtaining VA and SSA records, conducting a psychiatric examination, and providing VCAA notice.