Shoulder Board decisions

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for actinic keratosis, right shoulder condition, and bilateral wrist condition. The decision also addressed whether new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen these claims.

The veteran's appeal of the issue regarding service connection for peripheral neuropathy due to nerve impingement, bilateral upper extremities has been withdrawn. The other issues remain under consideration.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an increased evaluation for his left shoulder disability. The Board found that there was no evidence of a permanent increase in hearing acuity during service, and thus the presumption of aggravation did not apply. For the left shoulder disability, the VA examiner opined that the pre-existing condition likely worsened due to noise exposure during service.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and a right shoulder disability, but further development is needed before these claims can be adjudicated on their merits.

The Board has determined that the evidence received since the June 1999 decision does not provide a new and material basis to reopen the claim for service connection for residuals of a left shoulder injury. The veteran's current shoulder conditions are not linked to his in-service injury.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not currently have bilateral shin splints or a right shoulder disability, and thus service connection for these conditions is denied.

The VA is instructed to attempt to locate the appellant's service medical records and provide him with an authorization form for release of his National Guard records. If these efforts are unsuccessful, they should conduct a direct search with Fort Knox Army Hospital for any record of the appellant's treatment between August 1984 to December 1984.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current left hip disability and his right shoulder disability is not related to his service-connected left knee disability.,The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining or maintaining any form of substantially gainful employment.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a chronic left shoulder disability, a chronic left leg disorder, and an increased rating for hypertension. The evidence does not support granting any of these claims.

The veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis of the hands, elbows, left shoulder, and left knee; tinnitus; coronary artery disease; and hypertension have all been denied as there is no competent evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for impingement syndrome of both shoulders and migraine headaches, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on current symptomatology.

The Board determined that the veteran's right shoulder disability, characterized by arthritis and retained shell fragments, does not warrant a combined rating in excess of 30 percent.

The veteran's claim for service connection for arthritis of the right shoulder secondary to his service-connected GSW residuals of MG III of the right arm was denied as there is no medical evidence showing that he has this condition.

The veteran's claims for higher ratings for residuals of gunshot wounds to the intrinsic muscles of his left hand and scars on various parts of his body have been granted, with a rating of 10 percent assigned. The decision also notes that separate compensable ratings have been awarded for scars on the left shoulder, costal area, and index finger.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various shoulder, back, wrist, and cervical spine disabilities due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including arthritis of the shoulders and elbows, DDD of the cervical spine, degenerative changes status post laminectomy of the lumbar spine, peripheral neuropathy of all extremities, a bladder disorder, migraine headaches, and a psychiatric disorder. The evidence did not support a finding of exposure to ionizing radiation during service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for chest pain, hypoglycemia, carpal tunnel syndrome (right upper extremity), a chronic gastrointestinal disorder, a cervical spine disorder, and a lumbar spine disorder. The Board also found that left carpel tunnel syndrome is not related to service.

The veteran has been granted service connection for residual scarring from a right wrist ganglion cyst, as well as bilateral shoulder disabilities including arthritis and rotator cuff syndrome.

The veteran's claims for service connection for intervertebral disc syndrome and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, as well as tendonitis of the left shoulder, are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and consideration.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left elbow, shoulder, and arm conditions were not incurred or aggravated during service. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection.