Shoulder Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his low back disability and determine whether he is unemployable due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for residuals of shell fragment wounds to the right ear, chest, right shoulder, and back have been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at a non-VA hospital on January 22, 2008 were not rendered in a medical emergency of such nature that delay would have been hazardous to life or health. Therefore, reimbursement is denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for various service-connected disabilities, including eczema, lumbar spine strain, right and left knee disabilities, and DJD of the shoulders, were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating schedule.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not been sufficient by themselves to preclude all forms of substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational background. The Board finds that the criteria for a TDIU, including on an extra-schedular basis, are not met.

The Veteran's depression is related to his service-connected right shoulder disorder, and he was granted secondary service connection for this condition. His right shoulder disability has been rated at 20% since February 11, 2006.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left shoulder disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining records from his military hospitalization and providing him with a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a videoconference hearing and any other necessary development.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for bilateral knee and right shoulder disabilities, which she contends began in service. The case has been remanded due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of her claimed conditions.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability, other than the already service connected radiculopathy secondary to her cervical spine disability, was not incurred in or aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's neck disability is rated at 30 percent, effective June 19, 2008. His right shoulder disability remains rated at 20 percent. The Board has granted a higher rating for the cervical spine disability but denied an increase in the rating for the right shoulder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee and right shoulder conditions are not related to his active service, and thus denied his claims for service connection. The TDIU claim is also denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Board denied service connection for various hand, wrist, and shoulder disabilities, as well as a right big toe disability. The Veteran's claims were not supported by the evidence of record.

The Veteran's left shoulder dislocation residuals are manifested by no more than limitation of motion at shoulder level with pain and tenderness in the acromioclavicular joint (ACJ). There is no evidence of ankylosis, fibrous union, nonunion, or loss of head of humerus. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) reflects that degenerative changes are present in the left shoulder.

The Board found that there is no evidence of a current psychiatric disability to include PTSD, and the right shoulder disorder was not shown to be related to service.

The Veteran's claims for headaches, allergic rhinitis, left shoulder disorder, and lumbar and thoracic spine disorders were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating for allergic rhinitis or service connection for the claimed conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The claims will be reconsidered after this process.

The Veteran's low back disability has been granted service connection and assigned a 20 percent evaluation. Service connection for a psychiatric disorder (Personality Disorder) and a right shoulder disability have not been established.

The Veteran's left knee DJD status post arthroscopy is currently rated at 20 percent disabling, and the Board finds that this rating adequately reflects his current disability level.