Shoulder decisions — 2007

The Board has determined that the veteran's currently diagnosed recurrent melanoma of the right shoulder, status post resection and chemotherapy, was neither incurred in nor aggravated by active military service. The evidence does not etiologically link the veteran's current condition to his service or any incident therein.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his left shoulder post-traumatic arthritis and supraspinatus tendinosis was denied as the evidence did not show that a higher evaluation is warranted.,The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his chronic cubital tunnel syndrome with ulnar neuritis, left upper extremity (elbow and hand symptomatology) was also denied as the evidence did not show that a higher evaluation is warranted.

The Board found that the veteran's current bilateral shoulder condition is not due to a disease or injury in active service and denied her claim for service connection.

The Board found that the veteran's claimed conditions were not incurred or aggravated by service and denied all of his claims for increased ratings.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected post-operative lumbar laminectomy with history of strain is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examination and development. The veteran also asserts secondary service connection for depression and arthritis in shoulders and legs, which are not part of the main issue but will be referred to the RO.

The veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred at a private medical center on January 4, 2004 is denied as there was no emergency condition that would have been hazardous to life or health if delayed.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral shoulder disability and a neck disorder, finding that there is no evidence of such disabilities being related to military service. The claim for PTSD was remanded but not fully resolved.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a gunshot wound to the right shoulder in service and the veteran's current right shoulder condition has not been shown to be causally related to service. As such, the claim for service connection for residuals of a gunshot wound to the right shoulder is denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The RO denied the veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for his claimed conditions, finding that none of them warranted a rating higher than 10 percent.

The Board found no current left shoulder disability attributable to the service-connected left shoulder strain, thus denying the claim of service connection.

The veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) for aid and attendance and/or housebound status is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records, a new VA examination, and further development of his case.

The Board found no current left shoulder disability and denied the claim for service connection.

The veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for his gunshot wounds is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and review of the claims file.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an initial rating higher than 20 percent for a left ankle fracture with residual arthritis, service connection for back and shoulder disabilities. The issues remain on appeal.

The Board found that the veteran's multiple joint arthritis was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and denied his claim.

The Board found that the veteran's arthritis of the knees, back, neck, hands and shoulders is not due to a disease or injury incurred in service. The claim was denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have any diagnosed knee, foot, shoulder, or low back disability. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has determined that there is no current evidence of a right shoulder or hip disability, and thus service connection for these conditions cannot be granted.

The veteran does not have sigmoid polyps that are the result of disease or injury incurred in or aggravated during active military service. The Board finds that a medical examination was not warranted.