Shoulder decisions — 2012

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a schedular TDIU rating. However, his unemployability due to these conditions is considered on an extraschedular basis and referred to the Director of Compensation and Pension Service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for joint pain, other than the low back, right leg, right shoulder, feet, and left wrist, was denied as there is no evidence of a qualifying chronic disability or a medically unexplained multisymptom illness.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The right pelvis disability was rated at 20 percent, the gastrointestinal disability at a noncompensable rating, tinea cruris and tinea pedis at a noncompensable rating, and the right foot bunion (status-post bunionectomy) and left foot bunion (status-post bunionectomy) were each rated at 10 percent. The Veteran's PTSD was rated in excess of 30 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral elbow, shoulder, and wrist disabilities are not service-connected as they did not exist prior to his military service. The claims for these conditions have been denied.

The Board found no evidence of a relationship between the Veteran's myositis and shoulder strain to his service, concluding that these conditions are not related.

The Veteran's appeal is granted, with a temporary total rating for convalescence following his left carpal tunnel release revision. Other issues are addressed in the remand portion of this decision.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for a left shoulder disability with tingling sensation of the left hand, a heart disorder, and a neck disorder. The decision remains undecided on other issues.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The erectile dysfunction claim was found to be noncompensably disabling, the bilateral hearing loss disability claim did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating, and the allergic rhinitis, left shoulder disability, and diabetes mellitus type II claims were also denied.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for left shoulder and left knee disorders, but is remanding these claims to the RO for further development. The claim for service connection for a left hip disorder remains pending.

The Board denied service connection for cervical spine disability, neurological disability of the right arm, and right shoulder disability. The evidence did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate these claims.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred on July 6, 2010 at MCSA for left shoulder pain were not authorized in advance by VA and did not meet the eligibility criteria under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1728 or 38 C.F.R. § 17.120.

The Board denied restoration of service connection for a right shoulder injury, concluding that the evidence showed a pre-existing condition prior to military service and no aggravation during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a diagnosed right shoulder disability and therefore, service connection for a right shoulder disability is denied.

The Board found no current left shoulder disability and denied the Veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder disability, left leg length discrepancy, and low back disability. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service injury or disease resulting in these conditions.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased ratings have been withdrawn, thus these issues are dismissed.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records and scheduling a VA orthopedic examination to assess the current nature, extent, and severity of his right shoulder condition.

The Veteran's claim for higher initial disability rating for right shoulder capsulitis was denied. The appeal is based on the denial of a higher initial rating, not service connection.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple service-connected disabilities, including back pain, sciatica, shoulder issues, and hemorrhoids. The VA is directed to obtain all relevant medical records and schedule the Veteran for appropriate examinations to determine the current severity of his conditions.

The Veteran's right shoulder shell fragment wound was granted a rating of 30 percent effective July 8, 2012. The left forearm shell fragment wound remains at a noncompensable rating.