Shoulder decisions — 2025

The Board granted an effective date of April 19, 2020, but no earlier, for the establishment of service connection for a left wrist disability, a left shoulder disability, and right elbow disabilities (based on limitation of flexion and supination/pronation), while denying such claims for other foot and finger conditions.

The Board denied service connection for left knee degenerative arthritis, left shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis with degenerative arthritis, and sinusitis as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by active military service.

The Board denied service connection for several conditions, granted service connection for a left shoulder strain and an initial rating of 100 percent for right knee instability s/p ACL reconstruction, and remanded claims related to adjustment disorder, hearing loss, and tinnitus.

The Board granted service connection for Meniere's syndrome, denied service connection for hyperlipidemia and sinusitis, and remanded the claims for a left shoulder condition and bilateral foot conditions.

The claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss was dismissed due to a procedural defect. The remaining claims were remanded for further development.

The appeal for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome, a low back condition, and a right shoulder condition has been withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Board granted service connection for right shoulder strain and left knee strain as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left shoulder strain and right knee strain, respectively. The Board also granted an evaluation of 30 percent for right knee strain, limitation of flexion, from July 19, 2022, and a 50 percent evaluation for adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood from July 14, 2022.

The Board denied an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent disabling for the Veteran's right shoulder disability, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating.

The Board granted service connection for tinnitus, chronic sinusitis, and a 50% disability rating for migraine headaches effective June 12, 2019. Other claims were remanded.

The Board denied service connection for left shoulder degenerative arthritis and right shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis with degenerative arthritis as the evidence did not support a positive nexus between the Veteran's military service and his current shoulder conditions.

The Board denied service connection for a cervical spine disability and erectile dysfunction, remanded the claims for obstructive sleep apnea and left shoulder disability due to pre-decisional errors in the prior VA examination.

The Board granted service connection for a right shoulder condition as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left shoulder disability, resolving any doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board granted service connection for a left shoulder disability, radiculopathy of the right and left arms as secondary to cervical spine strain, chronic sinusitis, left ankle strain, cervical spine strain, and lumbar strain. An initial rating was assigned for each condition.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for right shoulder strain and back condition due to a pre-decisional error in the duty to assist, requiring an adequate medical opinion or examination.

The Board granted service connection for a left knee, right knee, left shoulder, and right shoulder disability based on the Veteran's reported symptoms during active duty service.

The Board denied service connection for arthritis, a back disability, a left knee disability, a left shoulder disability, and tinnitus as there was no evidence of current disabilities or a link to service.

The Board granted service connection for hearing loss, left ear, and denied a rating higher than 20 percent for the right shoulder disability, as well as service connection for a right hip condition and a right knee condition.

The Board remands the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right shoulder disability to obtain a medical opinion regarding whether it is related to his service-connected left shoulder disability.

The Board remands the claims for service connection of degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, right shoulder, and left shoulder due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for cervical spine, bilateral shoulder, and left arm disabilities to obtain additional medical opinions.