Shoulder decisions — 2011

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including issuance of a Statement of the Case addressing increased rating and TDIU issues. The effective date for TDIU will be determined based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities during the period from March 25, 1996 to January 2009.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is claimed to be related to his service-connected cervical spine and lumbar spine disabilities. The Board has determined that further development, including a medical opinion on aggravation, is needed.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than January 14, 2006 for the grant of service connection for lumbar spine hypertrophic osteoarthritis was denied. The effective date is set at November 18, 2005.

The Board found that the Veteran did not have left shoulder, migraine headache, or back disorders during service and did not experience continuous symptoms since service. The current diagnoses were not related to service.

The Veteran's appeal for payment or reimbursement of private outpatient treatment services provided on January 12, 2009, related to his service-connected right shoulder disability was denied as the treatment was not authorized by VA and did not occur in a medical emergency.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a Travel Board hearing in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

Service connection for alcoholism, glaucoma, acquired psychiatric disorder (anxiety and depression), amoebic dysentery, cockroach bite, cyst on the buttock, and residual sebaceous cyst scar of shoulder is denied.,There is no evidence linking any of these conditions to service or any presumptive exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's diagnosed left and right ankle, knee, and shoulder disorders, finding that they are related to his in-service injury.

The Veteran is seeking compensation for additional disability to his left shoulder due to a fall in the shower while hospitalized at a VA facility. The case is being remanded for further development, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's residuals of a shell fragment wound to the left shoulder are rated at 40 percent, effective September 26, 2006.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a Travel Board Hearing. The issues of entitlement to service connection for right shoulder and right wrist disabilities are pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the submission of additional pertinent evidence and for a new VA examination to determine his employability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder disability is service-connected, as it is at least as likely as not related to his active duty service. The bilateral eye condition was also found to be service-connected based on direct evidence of a current disability and no other basis for connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left shoulder disorder, claimed as dislocation of the left shoulder, is being remanded due to the need for further development and consideration.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left shoulder condition is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left shoulder disability is at least as likely as not caused by an injury to both shoulders while in service or due to his service-connected right shoulder disability, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his right shoulder disability, asthma, and chalazion removal of both eyes were denied. The RO had already granted a 20% rating for the right shoulder disability as of March 22, 2006.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his right shoulder disability was granted, effective from August 4, 2004. The RO initially assigned an earlier effective date of July 29, 2004 but later changed it to August 4, 2004.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claim for a left shoulder disorder is granted, as there is evidence of a current disability, in-service injury, and medical nexus. The right shoulder disorder secondary to the left shoulder disorder will be addressed during the remand process.

The Board has determined that the reduction in the Veteran's ratings for his bilateral shoulder disorders from 40% and 30% to 20% was proper, as evidenced by improved range of motion findings. The current ratings are appropriate based on the evidence of record.