Shoulder decisions — 2013

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder and left hip disabilities need further review due to missing Social Security Administration (SSA) records. The case is being remanded for these records to be obtained.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues regarding secondary service connection for nerve damage of the upper back and shoulders, which is claimed as being related to a now service-connected peptic ulcer disease. The Veteran's VA physician suggests that he sought treatment at another facility but his records are not in the claims file.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA outpatient treatment records and a VA opinion on his ability to work.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to determine the severity of the Veteran's left shoulder rotator cuff tear and to consider any updated treatment records. The claim will be re-adjudicated after this additional development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and VA treatment records. The left arm/hand disability claim requires a neurological examination to determine if it is related to his service-connected left shoulder disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and VA treatment records from the Boston VA Medical Center.

The Board is remanding the claim for further development due to conflicting medical opinions and a need for additional evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current right shoulder disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service, nor is it secondary to any service-connected disability. Therefore, service connection for a right shoulder disability is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and assessments of his current disabilities, including lumbar spine, bilateral shoulder, left ankle, bilateral knee, and sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was granted with an effective date of September 3, 1997. The Board also remanded the issue of earlier effective dates for other benefits.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including sexual dysfunction, headaches, fatigue, back pain, bilateral hip disabilities, knee disabilities, shoulder disabilities, elbow disabilities, and left ankle disability. The appeals were reopened on new evidence but the claims were ultimately denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU on an extra-schedular basis.

The Veteran's right shoulder dislocation residuals are currently rated at 20 percent, and the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for additional development, including scheduling of VA examinations and consideration of service connection theories.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a supplemental opinion from a VA examiner regarding the manifestations of disability typically resulting from impairment of the humerus and whether any guarding of movement includes limitation of arm motion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there was no evidence of a current disability, and the Board found that none of his claimed conditions are related to active service.

The Board finds that the reduction in the Veteran's disability compensation benefits due to incarceration is proper, but the correct effective date for the reduction is April 1, 2002.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his gastroesophageal reflux disease, abdominal surgical scars, and shoulder surgical scars are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations.

The Veteran's initial ratings for his service-connected left shoulder conditions have been granted and are set at 10 percent each.