Shoulder decisions — 2012

The appellant's claims for service connection were denied because he failed to report for scheduled VA examinations. As a result, the claims are denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain medical records and for VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his service-connected right hip disability, as well as any current low back, bilateral shoulder, and bilateral knee disabilities.

The Board granted service connection for the Veteran's inguinal hernia, bilateral, postoperative with scar and assigned a 10 percent disability rating effective from October 20, 2006. The decision also addressed other issues of service connection but did not reach a final determination on them.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to schedule a Travel Board Hearing at the RO. The issues of service connection for various disorders are still under consideration.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal with respect to the issues of entitlement to higher initial ratings for GERD and tinea cruris of the groin, as well as entitlement to service connection for a shoulder rash.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for chronic cholesterol (claimed as 'chronic cholesterol') is denied. The remaining claims are addressed in the remand.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability was evaluated based on the severity of his symptoms and functional impairment. The Board found that a higher rating was not warranted for any portion of the appeal period.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the nature and severity of his service-connected shoulder disabilities, specifically whether any neurological symptoms are related to his service-connected DJD.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including a comprehensive VA examination to determine the etiology of any current left shoulder disability and whether it is at least as likely as not caused or worsened by service-connected residuals of a crush injury to the left hand/fingers.

The Veteran's PTSD was not diagnosed in accordance with DSM-IV criteria, and the Board finds that he does not meet the diagnostic criteria for PTSD.,His acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD and an adjustment disorder with anxiety, including depression, is not related to service. The psychosis did not manifest itself within one year of service.,The Veteran's bilateral shoulder pain is caused by a strain and his arthritis in either shoulder did not manifest itself within one year of service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as his claimed conditions are not related to his active duty service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to ensure procedural due process compliance and to obtain a complete record upon which to decide the claims. The Veteran needs to be rescheduled for VA examinations to determine whether he currently suffers from diagnosed disabilities, including left shoulder disorder, hearing loss, tinnitus, lung disorder, and back disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for scheduling a videoconference hearing at the Nashville RO. The issues of service connection for various disabilities are pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to address the functional limitations of his lumbar spine, right shoulder and right knee disabilities. The case will be returned to the Board after this development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were granted, with the effective date set at September 30, 2002. The Veteran was awarded a 40 percent rating for his lumbar spine disability as of October 31, 2006. He also received TDIU benefits.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a chronic disability of the left shoulder and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a right wrist disability or GERD, and his bilateral foot disability to include pes planus and hallux valgus is not service connected. The claims for impingement syndrome with arthritis of the left shoulder and right shoulder are also denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to address the relationship between his service-connected disabilities and any diagnosed conditions.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee and right shoulder disabilities, including as secondary to his service-connected conditions. The case is being remanded to obtain relevant medical records and to schedule a VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right shoulder, lumbar spine, and knee disabilities. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was also addressed in a separate decision.