Shoulder decisions — 2011

The Veteran has withdrawn her appeals regarding the initial evaluations for right knee and right shoulder degenerative joint disease. As a result, these claims are dismissed.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to the request of his authorized representative.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right shoulder strain is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining relevant treatment records and conducting a VA examination.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence sufficient to reopen the Veteran's service connection claims for a left shoulder disorder and the residuals of a mouth injury has been received. However, further development is warranted before these claims may be adjudicated on their merits.

The Board has remanded the case to the Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office for further development, including a VA examination and medical opinion regarding the Veteran's claimed arm, shoulder, neck, and back disorders.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a left shoulder disability. The Veteran is entitled to service connection for his left shoulder disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disorder, right shoulder dislocation with postoperative rotator cuff injury, and right knee strain are related to his service-connected activities and the natural progression of degenerative changes. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's unauthorized hospitalization at Colleton Medical Center on December 26, 2008 was not rendered in a 'medical emergency' of such nature that a prudent layperson would have reasonably expected delay in seeking immediate medical attention to be hazardous to life or health. Therefore, the criteria for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses are not met.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, along with other disabilities, has rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since September 2007.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a Travel Board hearing.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a right hand disability, right shoulder disability, or sleep apnea that is related to service. The claims for these conditions are therefore denied.

The Board found no evidence linking the Veteran's current right shoulder disorder to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to obtain relevant VA treatment records and medical opinions regarding the Veteran's neck and shoulder conditions.

The Board found no evidence of a current neck or right shoulder disability and denied service connection for both conditions, concluding that the Veteran did not have a current disability related to his military service.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability was granted a 30 percent evaluation beginning December 21, 2006. The previous rating of 10 percent from November 15, 2004 to December 20, 2006 remains unchanged.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support the Veteran's claims of right shoulder disability and pulmonary tuberculosis, both of which are not related to his military service. The Veteran's low back disability claim will be addressed in a separate remand.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU was denied as the evidence did not show that he became unemployable due to service-connected disabilities prior to November 1, 2007.

The Veteran's claims for service connection, reopening of a previously denied skin disorder claim, compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151, and increased rating for left knee disability were all granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed cervical spine and right shoulder disabilities are not related to his military service, and therefore denied both claims.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as his service-connected conditions did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.