Shoulder decisions — 2025

The Board dismissed all appeals due to the Veteran's death before a decision was promulgated.

The Board denied the Veteran's request to reopen and readjudicate claims for severance of service connection for PTSD, muscle and joint pain in the left shoulder, lumbosacral strain with intervertebral disc syndrome, restless leg syndrome of the right lower extremity, and restless leg syndrome of the left lower extremity effective November 1, 2021.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, a left ankle disability, and an initial compensable rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae of the face. The claims for service connection for various other disabilities were remanded.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for the increased ratings for PTSD with major depressive disorder and TBI, as well as a right shoulder strain.

The Board granted service connection for left knee pain, right elbow pain, left elbow pain, right knee pain, left shoulder pain, and right shoulder pain based on the evidence being in approximate balance that these conditions are related to military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for left shoulder impingement syndrome, right knee arthritis with sprain, and tension headaches.

The Board granted service connection for lumbosacral strain, right lower extremity radiculopathy (secondary to the lumbosacral strain), right shoulder disability, obstructive sleep apnea (secondary to allergic rhinitis), and irritable bowel syndrome.

The Board denied increased ratings for left knee tendonitis/tendinosis and chronic left shoulder strain, but granted a 100 percent rating for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with major depressive disorder (MDD) prior to January 5, 2021.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) as there was no evidence that his service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to follow and maintain a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for cervical strain, left hand tendinopathy with tenosynovitis, right hand tendinopathy with tenosynovitis, left hip, snapping hip syndrome, right hip condition, left shoulder bicipital tendonitis with rotator cuff tendonitis, right shoulder bicipital tendonitis with rotator cuff tendonitis, left lower extremity shin splints, and tension headaches for readjudication due to new and relevant evidence received since the January 2022 rating decision.

The Board granted service connection for a low back disability, glenohumeral joint osteoarthritis of the left shoulder, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity as secondary to a low back disability. The Veteran was also granted an initial 30 percent rating for each condition.

The Board remands the claims for service connection and compensation benefits due to new evidence being received after a previous denial.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and increased ratings for left knee and shoulder disabilities based on a lack of evidence supporting these conditions or their severity.

The Board granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and GERD, assigned a rating of 20 percent for the back disability from March 31, 2021, and denied service connection for right ear hearing loss, obstructive sleep apnea, and a higher rating for the right shoulder disability.

The Board denied service connection for a disorder manifested by dizziness due to the lack of evidence supporting a current diagnosis and no nexus to service. The right shoulder and groin pain issues were remanded for further development.

The Board remands the matter for further development, including obtaining outstanding medical records and an addendum opinion.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right shoulder disability, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between the condition and his military service.

The Board granted service connection for a left shoulder disability on a secondary basis, but remanded the claims for a left arm condition and special monthly compensation.

The Board denied service connection for a right shoulder disability and cervical spine disability as the evidence did not support that these conditions began during active service or are otherwise related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 40 percent for radiculopathy, left lower extremity, sciatic nerve and remanded claims for service connection for shoulder disabilities and TDIU.