The Board found that there is no evidence to support a connection between the appellant's service-connected right shoulder disability and his current numbness in the fingertips, right hand. The VA medical opinions were deemed dispositive in determining that the appellant's upper extremity paresthesias are not due to or aggravated by his right shoulder disability.
The deciding factor: The VA medical opinions found no causal relationship between the appellant's service-connected right shoulder disability and his current numbness in the fingertips, right hand. The doctor specifically stated that there was no question that the appellant's right upper extremity numbness had no relationship to his right shoulder condition.
- Claimed conditions
- upper extremity paresthesias, sensory motor polyneuropathy
- How they argued it
- Aggravation of a pre-existing condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- December 23, 2008
- Citation
- 0844421
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 0844421.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal for service connection of his left thumb condition, including flexor tenosynovitis, is remanded due to the need for an addendum medical opinion addressing the etiology of his disability.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for sensory motor polyneuropathy, finding that the Veteran's condition is at least as likely as not incurred during his service in Vietnam due to exposure to Agent Orange.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's sensory motor polyneuropathy was granted service connection and assigned a 10 percent rating for partial simple seizures. The issue of an increased rating for partial simple seizures is addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision.
- Whole decision: Granted
The veteran is entitled to compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for chest wall paresthesias as a result of the May 1996 tumor resection, but not for upper extremity paresthesias.
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