Shoulder Board decisions

The Veteran's asthma is service-connected, but his other claimed conditions are not. Further examination and development of the record are needed to determine if any of these conditions are related to military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further evaluation of his right shoulder and left ankle disabilities, as well as the issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's claims for higher initial evaluations for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy have been dismissed due to the failure to file a timely substantive appeal.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right hip and left shoulder disability, right knee disability, acquired psychiatric disorder, and respiratory disability (claimed as lung disease due to asbestos exposure) have been dismissed due to the failure to file a timely substantive appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected status post salpingostomy disability requires continuous treatment and is currently rated at 10 percent. The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for the service-connected arthritis of the bilateral knees and shoulders.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and right shoulder disability render him unemployable, as evidenced by his statements and VA medical opinions. The Board grants a TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Travel Board hearing and further development.

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

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for impingement syndrome of the left shoulder and PTSD were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's left knee disability is found to be service-connected, while his right shoulder disability is not. The decision does not address the issue of exposure basis or whether the claim falls under any specific presumptive conditions.

The Board has determined that further medical examinations and opinions are needed to determine the relationship between the Veteran's current disabilities, including right shoulder disability and sinus condition, and his service. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus will also be remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA disability determination and records from the Livermore VA Medical Center.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine, cervical spine, and shoulder disabilities were not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Veteran's service-connected left shoulder arthritis and cervical spine degenerative joint disease have been rated based on their respective limitations of motion. The low back strain with degenerative joint disease has also been rated, but the RO granted an increased rating effective January 1, 2010.

The Board found no evidence of current right hand or wrist arthritis, and the Veteran's bilateral shoulder arthritis is not shown to be related to service. Therefore, service connection for these conditions was denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for a right shoulder disability, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the appellant's current condition was caused or aggravated during his period of active duty.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant, and thus there are no issues for further consideration.

The Board found that the Veteran's current conditions are not due to an undiagnosed illness or a medically unexplained chronic multi-symptom illness and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Alegent Immanuel Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska on April 19, 2007 is denied as the criteria for emergency treatment were not met.

The Board has remanded the case due to unclear service connection status and potential issues with emergency treatment criteria. The Veteran's claim for payment of unauthorized private medical expenses incurred on September 2, 2008, for surgical repair of a right shoulder rotator cuff tear is being reconsidered.