Shoulder decisions — 2025

The Board remands the claims for further development and to correct pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors.

The appeal was granted for readjudication of the claims for service connection for a left elbow disorder, a left shoulder disorder and sleep apnea due to new and relevant evidence. However, the claims for service connection for a left elbow disorder, including degenerative changes, olecranon bursitis, and cubital tunnel syndrome; and a left shoulder disorder were denied, while the claim for service connection for sleep apnea was remanded.

The Board remands the claim for a new medical opinion to determine if the Veteran's right shoulder disability is related to service.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and a C-section scar, but granted service connection for tinnitus. The claims for increased ratings for knee conditions and neck/low back conditions were remanded.

The Board granted an evaluation of 40 percent for the service-connected degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, 20 percent for the left ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain, and 40 percent for the status-post arthroscopy for adhesive capsulitis & debridement of partial labral tear (right shoulder) from June 2, 2021, to January 28, 2024.

The Veteran withdrew the claims for service connection for adjustment disorder with sleep issues, narcissistic personality disorder, left hip strain as secondary to left knee pain, status post ACL reconstruction, and right hip strain as secondary to left knee pain, status post ACL reconstruction.

The Board granted service connection for left shoulder glenohumeral joint osteoarthritis, cervical spinal stenosis and degenerative disc disease, and left-hand carpal tunnel syndrome. The claim for an earlier effective date was denied, as well as the claim for a higher rating.

The Board denied service connection for a psychiatric disorder and a right shoulder disability, finding that the evidence does not support a causal relationship between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.

The Board denied service connection for right ear hearing loss and granted a 70 percent evaluation for PTSD, while denying other claims. The remaining claims were remanded.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and TDIU, finding insufficient evidence to support a reasonable possibility of unemployability due to his only service-connected disability, tinnitus.

The Board granted an initial compensable rating for right foot hallux valgus and remanded the claims for service connection for a back, right shoulder, left shoulder, and right knee disability.

The Board granted service connection for chronic kidney disease as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected orthopedic disabilities and dismissed the appeal for tinnitus due to a procedural defect. The issue of service connection for a right shoulder disability was remanded.

The Board granted an initial 10 percent rating for right knee instability but denied a higher rating, and granted earlier effective dates for TDIU and DEA benefits.

The Board granted restoration of a 10 percent evaluation for the service-connected right knee patellofemoral syndrome with chondromalacia patellae, effective September 28, 2020.

The Board granted service connection for a right and left shoulder disability, finding that both were proximately due to the Veteran's already service-connected ankylosing spondylitis.

The Board granted service connection for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) as a qualifying chronic disability and granted an initial 10% rating for right knee instability, while denying service connection for other conditions including right wrist disorder, left hip disorder, right hand arthritis, left shoulder arthritis, increased ratings for the right knee flexion, and right shoulder recurrent dislocation.

The Veteran's service-connected right shoulder disability requires regular aid and attendance, entitling him to special monthly compensation.

The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, hypertension, and tinnitus. The claims for increased ratings for right shoulder degenerative arthritis, thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis, left knee degenerative joint disease, and right knee degenerative arthritis were denied. An effective date of April 23, 2021, was granted for the award of a 100 percent evaluation for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board granted service connection for a left shoulder disability, to include osteoarthritis, and an effective date of April 20, 2017, but not earlier, for the award of service connection for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity. Other claims were denied or remanded.

The Board denied service connection for a left shoulder condition and denied entitlement to a higher combined rating for the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.