Shoulder decisions — 2017

The Veteran's left shoulder disability resulted in recurrent dislocation but did not result in fibrous union, flail shoulder, or ankylosis. The Veteran is currently rated at 20 percent for this condition.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability has been rated at 20 percent since October 21, 2009. The current evidence does not support an increase in the rating beyond this level.

The Board has granted service connection for migraine headaches and right shoulder disability, finding that both conditions are proximately due to or the result of service-connected disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran's right shoulder disability did not manifest to a compensable degree within one year of separation from service and was not caused by his military service. As such, the claim for service connection for a right shoulder disability is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a chronic right or left shoulder condition manifest during service or within one year following service, and the current shoulder conditions are not related to his service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current cervical spine, lumbar spine, bilateral hip, bilateral knee, and left shoulder disabilities are the result of injuries sustained during service, including multiple parachute jumps. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder disorder, bilateral eye disorder, and chest pain are not related to service or any service-connected disability.,Therefore, the claims for these conditions have been denied.

The Board has granted service connection for photosensitivity as the result of flashburn injury to the eyes, but dismissed appeals regarding right shoulder and right knee disabilities due to withdrawal by the Veteran. The case is remanded for further examination to determine if a current neck disability is related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including impingement syndrome and degenerative osteoarthritis of the shoulders, left shoulder, lumbosacral spine arthritis, Peyronie's disease with erectile dysfunction, and hypertension, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board found that the Veteran's substantive appeal was not timely filed in response to the April 2009 statement of the case, and thus denied his claim.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the claim for service connection for left shoulder residuals of trauma and surgery with limited ROM and degenerative disease.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination and an opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's left shoulder disorder and his military service.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is rated as 20 percent disabling prior to October 28, 2015 and 30 percent thereafter. The right ankle and left ankle disabilities are each rated at 20 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right shoulder disability is not related to his military service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his right shoulder disability is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and testing.

The Board has granted service connection for erectile dysfunction and an increased rating for right shoulder impingement syndrome, but denied the Veteran's claims for sleep apnea and recurrent folliculitis of the occipital scalp.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection of his right and left shoulder disabilities, finding that no revision was warranted in the decisions dated November 1969 and May 1982 to deny service connection. The effective date remains September 19, 2002.

The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's lower back and right shoulder disabilities on an extraschedular basis, finding that the disability criteria adequately account for the Veteran's symptoms.

The Veteran's service-connected keloids of the face and chest have been granted a 30 percent rating, effective February 13, 2015. Service connection for pterygium of the right eye was denied.

The Board has granted service connection for lower urinary tract symptoms, hemorrhoids, and athlete's foot. The Veteran's LUTS was incurred in service, his hemorrhoids were incurred in service, and his athlete's foot disability is aggravated by service.