Shoulder Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal was granted in part. The claim of service connection for left shoulder degenerative arthritis was increased to a 30 percent rating effective from September 15, 2006.

The Veteran's service-connected left shoulder disorder has been rated at 20 percent since February 6, 2007. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating prior to November 6, 2007 and on or after February 1, 2008.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of evidence.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability and pulmonary disorder are both found to be related to service, resulting in a grant of service connection for these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed disabilities, finding that there was no medical evidence linking these conditions to his service-connected left knee disability or to service.

The Veteran's claimed disabilities of systemic myalgia/arthralgia, bilateral hip bursitis, bilateral shoulder bursitis, and arthritis were not incurred in active service.

The Board found no evidence of a relationship between the appellant's current right shoulder and left knee disabilities and injuries or diseases incurred during his initial active duty for training (IADT). Therefore, service connection was denied.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability and residuals of a right herniorraphy are currently rated at 20 percent and 10 percent, respectively. The Veteran seeks increased ratings for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied as new and material evidence was not submitted to reopen his right knee injury claim, and he does not meet the criteria for service connection for other conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinea versicolor, increased saliva production, right shoulder disorder, and thoracolumbar spine disorder. The evidence did not support a finding of in-service incurrence or aggravation of these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left shoulder disability as secondary to his service-connected right shoulder disability.

The Veteran's current right shoulder injury and arthritis are not shown to be related to his period of active service. His PTSD claim was denied due to uncorroborated stressor events, and his bilateral hearing loss with vertigo is not considered incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the loss of his service records and the need to search for additional evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, as his other nonservice-connected conditions and work experience make it possible for him to find another means of employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral shoulder condition did not first manifest during service or within one year of separation, and there is no medical evidence linking his current condition to service. Therefore, service connection for a bilateral shoulder condition is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed left shoulder blade injury, right ear hearing loss, and tinnitus are not service-connected due to lack of evidence showing a chronic condition during or within one year after service.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability was granted an increased evaluation of 20 percent from March 25, 2004 to July 11, 2007. Service connection for a left shoulder disorder is denied as it did not meet the criteria for being proximately due to or the result of his service-connected right shoulder disability.

The Veteran's overpayment of VA compensation benefits in the amount of $16,857.87 is being remanded for further action due to issues regarding its validity and entitlement to a waiver.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left shoulder disability as secondary to a low back disability, and for bilateral hearing loss are denied. The claim of service connection for tinnitus is pending due to the need for further evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected sclerosing cholangitis and left shoulder impingement were evaluated, but the evidence did not support higher initial ratings.