Shoulder Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for keloids of the shoulders and back is granted. The Board finds that his keloids are related to his military service, as evidenced by their presence at the time of his discharge from service and subsequent progression over the years. Service connection is also granted for incontinence secondary to his service-connected hemorrhoids. However, service connection for bilateral hearing loss cannot be established based on the available evidence.

The Veteran is unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, right shoulder disability, and bilateral knee disability. The Board finds that the Veteran's unemployability is a result of his service-connected conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased rating for hemorrhoids, service connection for mental disability (generalized anxiety disorder), sexual dysfunction, right ankle and shoulder disabilities, and reopening of previously denied claims for bilateral knee and lumbar spine disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is entitled to service connection for a bilateral shoulder disability, as evidenced by his in-service treatment and current symptoms. Service connection was denied for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found that new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen the claim for right knee chondromalacia, but did not find any other conditions related to active service.

The Veteran's original claim for service connection was received more than one year after his discharge from active duty, and thus the effective date of service connection is June 8, 2004.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for rheumatoid arthritis, multiple joints was denied as there is no evidence of the condition. The issues of service connection for bilateral shoulder disability, right hip disability, left hip disability (status-post hip replacement), and lumbar spine disability are addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Veteran's appeal is dismissed as the claim of an earlier effective date for a right ankle disability was not properly raised. The issues of service connection for wrist and neck disorders are denied due to lack of evidence of current disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left shoulder impingement with AC joint arthritis is related to his military service and grants service connection for this condition. The issue of right shoulder joint arthritis remains pending as additional development is needed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pre-existing left shoulder/arm disability was aggravated during service, and therefore grants service connection for a current left shoulder/arm disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates were denied, but the Board remanded them for further development.,Service connection was granted for right ankle traumatic arthritis with an effective date of November 14, 2006.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service personnel records and a VA examination to determine if any left shoulder disorder is related to service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for spondylosis of the cervical spine with degenerative disc disease C5-6 and C7, left varicocele, and right shoulder bursitis are all denied as there is no current evidence of a disability or nexus to service.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating was granted, and he is currently rated at 10 percent for his left shoulder disability. The appeal pertains to the assignment of an initial rating prior to May 17, 2005, and from October 1, 2005.

The Board found that the recoupment of the Veteran's separation pay from his VA disability compensation was proper based on federal law, and denied the appeal.

The Veteran's conditions do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Board has remanded the case for consideration of an increased evaluation for service-connected recurrent dislocation of the right and left shoulders, due to potential exceptional or unusual disability picture warranting referral for extraschedular consideration.

The Board found that the Veteran's current right shoulder disorder is not related to his military service and denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for a right shoulder disorder and granted service connection based on direct evidence. The Board also found that service connection was not warranted for arthritis of bilateral hands or an acquired psychiatric disorder (major depression).

The Board found no evidence of a current left shoulder or cervical spine disorder that is related to service. The Veteran's symptoms are more likely due to post-service injuries and accidents.