Shoulder decisions — 2013

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as his claimed conditions are not related to active military service or service-connected disability.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral ankle sprains, right shoulder strain, back strain, and bilateral knee strain as there was no evidence of a current disability related to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his shell fragment wound of the right shoulder and scars on the right chest were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating than 30 percent for the SFW, or any separate compensable evaluation for Muscle Group III, or any disability rating in excess of 20 percent for the scars.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chloracne and skin cancer of the face and right shoulder are being remanded due to incomplete information or evidence.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings were denied. The Board found that the left thigh graft donor site scar, erectile dysfunction, and PTSD (previously diagnosed as panic disorder) did not meet the criteria for higher ratings.

The Veteran's service records do not show any diagnosed cervical spine, thoracic and lumbar spines, left shoulder, right knee, or left knee disabilities. GERD was first noted after service in August 2008. The Board finds that the Veteran did not have these conditions during service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals concerning all issues related to service connection and TDIU prior to October 22, 2010.

The Board has granted a 20 percent evaluation for the service-connected recurrent dislocation of the left shoulder, status post Bankart repair, effective from January 14, 2006.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for the left shoulder disability with Bankart procedure is denied as the evidence does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating before June 23, 2009 or a rating higher than 20 percent from that date. The effective date for the grant of a 20 percent rating remains unchanged.

The Board has determined that there is no causal link between the Veteran's left shoulder disability and his military service, and thus denied this claim.,There is also insufficient evidence to establish a connection between the Veteran's cold injury to the bilateral hands and his military service. The VA examiner opined that these conditions are more likely related to aging and mechanical reasons rather than exposure during service.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for arthritis of the back and neck, but denied the claim for hypertension. The bilateral knee condition is considered secondary to residuals of right ankle fracture.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an increased rating for his service-connected left shoulder disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the failure to appear for a scheduled Travel Board hearing. The case will be returned to the Board after scheduling a new hearing.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting a VA examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's left shoulder disorder. The appeal is now pending further action.

The Board found that the Veteran's current lumbar spine, bilateral knee, and right shoulder disabilities are not service-connected due to lack of evidence showing in-service incurrence or aggravation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a separate compensable rating or ratings for injuries to muscle groups, including groups I, II, and III, as residuals of a gunshot wound of the right (major) shoulder.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his right shoulder impingement syndrome was denied, and the current effective date is not specified.

The Board found that the Veteran's right shoulder disability (arthritis) was not related to his service and denied the claim. The left shoulder DJD was also not shown to be caused or aggravated by a service-connected condition.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal of the denial of service connection for a left shoulder disability.

The Board has determined that the overpayment of VA compensation benefits was based solely on administrative error and not due to any fault or misrepresentation by the Veteran. As a result, the debt is invalid.