Shoulder decisions — 2005

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a right shoulder disability related to his period of military service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for the veteran's right shoulder arthritis, finding that it is likely due to an injury sustained during his military service.

The VA determined that the veteran does not have a current shoulder or knee disorder, and thus cannot establish service connection for these conditions.,Service connection was denied for bilateral shoulder and knee disorders due to lack of evidence showing a current disability.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the veteran's claimed disabilities, as well as whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen his claim of service connection for arthritis.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, finding that none of these conditions were incurred or aggravated by his military service.

The veteran's claimed conditions were not incurred or aggravated by service, and the Board finds no credible evidence linking any of his current disabilities to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cervical spine disorder and right shoulder disorder were not incurred in service, and thus denied both claims.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a left arm and shoulder disability, including secondary to his service-connected residuals of a crush injury to the left hand with a scar and arthritis at the DIP joints. The claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals of a crush injury to the left hand was also denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of any bilateral foot and left shoulder disabilities. The veteran's claim for nonservice connected pension is inextricably intertwined with his service connection claims.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee disabilities, as well as his back disability. The decision also addressed whether new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen previously denied claims for left and right shoulder dislocations.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions, including a chronic upper back disorder and right shoulder disability, were not incurred or aggravated by active military service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a right shoulder disability due to lack of evidence supporting direct service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a shoulder injury and back disability, finding that no new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen the claim for shoulder injury. The back disability was not found to be related to active duty service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection due to a lack of evidence linking any current conditions to his inservice exposure, including radiation and asbestos.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to fully evaluate the veteran's claims, including obtaining medical records and conducting further examinations.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection have been denied as there is no competent evidence of a nexus between his current conditions and his military service.

The Board granted a higher initial disability rating of 20 percent for the veteran's left (minor) shoulder dislocation, effective from May 25, 2004. The case was remanded to determine an appropriate rating for his duodenal ulcer.

The Board denied service connection for a left shoulder disability and a left knee disability, finding that the current conditions are not related to any in-service injury or condition.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The left hip disability was rated at 40 percent, the right shoulder at 20 percent, both hands at 20 percent, PTSD at 30 percent, and a bilateral knee disorder claim is pending.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left shoulder disability, currently rated at 40 percent, does not warrant a higher evaluation as there is no evidence of nonunion of the humerus or loss of the head of the humerus.