Shoulder decisions — 2015

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to clarify whether the service-connected left shoulder strain required him to undergo the November 2009 surgery and if so, whether it caused or aggravated the disability that necessitated the surgery.

The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and right shoulder strain were not service-connected.,PTSD was granted at 70% effective September 28, 2011. The reduction of prostate cancer from 100% to 20% in April 2010 and then to 40% in September 2012 was found proper.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his right shoulder disability prior to October 31, 2009 was denied. The effective dates for the grants of service connection for erectile dysfunction and special monthly compensation were not granted.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claims for service connection for congenital low back and pelvic disability, right knee disability, and right shoulder disability. The Veteran's claims are therefore denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional treatment records. The issue of an initial compensable rating for his service-connected scar, status post excision of leiomyosarcoma of the left shoulder, will be re-adjudicated.

The case is being remanded due to the inextricability of the TDIU claim with the left shoulder disability and 1151 claims. The Veteran's TDIU claim will be reconsidered after resolving these other issues.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected degenerative joint disease of the right and left shoulders.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine if any current disabilities of the Veteran's shoulders, arms, back, legs, and other joints are related to military service or caused by his service-connected cervical spine disability.

The Veteran's service-connected right shoulder and right distal fibula fracture residuals have been rated at 20 percent each, meeting the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran's representative, and the claim is now pending for further review.

The Veteran's claims for initial evaluations of his service-connected disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and verifying active duty periods. The appellant's claims will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the bilateral hips, knees, and wrists, and his left shoulder, as well as his disc disease of the cervical and lumbar spine with stenosis are attributable to his active military service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims to reopen his service connection for a right shoulder disorder and neck disorder, other than gout. The appeals are pending.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including scheduling VA examinations and obtaining additional evidence. The Veteran's claims for service connection will be reconsidered based on the new information.

The Veteran's appeal is REMANDED to the AOJ due to inextricably intertwined issues, including service connection and increased ratings for hernia/stomach disability and right ear hearing loss. The case will be remanded for further development and adjudication.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to November 22, 2011 for a 40 percent rating for service-connected left hand disability involving ankylosis of the thumb and fingers was granted. The Board also found that his left shoulder RSD is secondary to his service-connected left hand disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder disability did not have its onset in service or until many years thereafter, is not causally or etiologically related to service, and is not caused or aggravated by his left shoulder disability. As such, the claim for service connection for a right shoulder disability is denied.

The Board has ordered a new examination to determine if the Veteran's current left shoulder disability is related to his participation in a compensated work therapy program from December 20, 1999, to November 3, 2000.