Shoulder Board decisions

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have any currently diagnosed disabilities of the right or left shoulder, and her claims for service connection are denied. The Board also found no evidence to support a finding that she experienced in-service injuries leading to diabetes mellitus, peripheral vascular disease, GERD, or degenerative joint disease of the cervical or lumbar spine.

The veteran is seeking service connection for a bilateral shoulder disability. The Board has determined that an examination of the shoulders, including an opinion on the etiology of any current disability, is warranted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, a left shoulder disability, and a back disability due to lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred during active service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed lower back, upper back, bilateral shoulder, and bilateral elbow disabilities are not related to service. The evidence does not show chronic disability in service or within one year of separation from service.

The Board found no objective indications of chronic disability resulting from undiagnosed illness and denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a musculoskeletal disability.

The Board has granted an increased evaluation of 30 percent for the veteran's service-connected right ulnar nerve disorder and found that a separate evaluation is not warranted for surgical scars. The Board also determined that there is no evidence to support a grant of service connection for the veteran's right shoulder disorder as it is not proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected right ulnar nerve disorder.

The Board has granted increased ratings of 30 percent for recurrent dislocations of the right shoulder and 20 percent for recurrent dislocations of the left shoulder, effective July 17, 2002.

The veteran's claims for service connection, increased ratings, and effective dates were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a grant of service connection or an increase in rating.

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for the veteran's residuals of a fracture of the right index finger, finding that it more nearly approximates the maximum schedular evaluation under Diagnostic Code 5229.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cervical spondylosis is related to service, and his bilateral shoulder disability was not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Board has determined that service connection is not warranted for the veteran's claimed disabilities of bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, right arm/shoulder disability, and kidney disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for left shoulder bursitis and left knee disability, finding that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for multiple joint complaints including arms, shoulders, and thoracolumbar spine, cervical spine disability, bilateral knee disability, and rectal disorder manifested by bleeding. The veteran did not have a chronic disorder of multiple joints involving the arms, shoulders, and thoracolumbar spine that can be related to his period of service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for joint pain and an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, need further development due to incomplete records and verification of stressors.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a hearing before a member of the Board.

The Board has denied the appellant's claims for service connection for a left foot condition, a left shoulder condition, a scar on the left bicep, and a lower back disorder due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The veteran's right shoulder disability, characterized by impingement syndrome, is currently rated at 20 percent. The evidence does not support a higher rating as the condition does not meet criteria for more severe impairment.

The Board found that the appellant's pre-existing scar of the right arm was not aggravated during service and denied his claims for service connection for various conditions.

The Board has granted a 20 percent evaluation for the veteran's left ankle contusion, effective February 3, 2006. The condition is characterized by daily pain, weakness, and stiffness with occasional swelling and giving way.

The veteran's claims for service connection for psychiatric disorders, tension headaches, left wrist strain, and lipoma of the right shoulder were denied as there is no evidence of a nexus to active duty or an undiagnosed illness.