Shoulder decisions — 2025

The Board granted service connection for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and depression (secondary to a service-connected TBI) but denied service connection for left ankle strain, right shoulder strain, rhinitis, and sinusitis.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for left shoulder and right knee disabilities to obtain additional medical opinions.

The Board denied service connection for the veteran's claimed disabilities as they were incurred during a period of dishonorable discharge.

The Board granted an initial increased 20 percent rating for right knee instability prior to May 9, 2018, and denied higher ratings for the other issues.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 20 percent for left shoulder bursitis, as the evidence did not support a higher rating.

The Board remands the claims for higher initial ratings for lumbar degenerative disc disease and right shoulder strain/sprain due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for the Veteran's neck disability and a rating in excess of 20 percent for right brachial neuritis, but granted a 40 percent rating for left brachial neuritis.

The Board granted service connection for erectile dysfunction and right shoulder disorder, both secondary to the Veteran's service-connected conditions.

The Board remands the matter for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's chronic right shoulder pain is due solely to his diagnosed cervical radiculopathy or a separate shoulder disability.

The Board denied service connection for abdominal, lower back, and right shoulder disabilities, as well as an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus and a right index finger strain.

The Board remands the veteran's claims for service connection for various disorders, including shoulder, cervical spine, thoracolumbar spine, wrist, and ankle conditions, due to deficiencies in prior VA examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for various disabilities, including thoracolumbar strain, cervical strain, and others. The claims were not granted.

The Board denied service connection for a broken nose, deviated septum, low back disability, left foot numbness, right foot numbness, sinus disability, left elbow and forearm disability, left knee disability, and right shoulder strain. Service connection was granted for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and left hamstring strain. The Board also denied an initial evaluation in excess of 70 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder with residuals of a traumatic brain injury, an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for migraine headaches, an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for fibromyalgia, and an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea. The Board denied a total disability rating based on individual unemployability as a result of service-connected disabilities prior to December 1, 2023.

The Board granted service connection for migraines as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder with PTSD and impaired sexual functioning, but remanded other claims related to eye, hip, shoulder, and elbow disorders.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for cervical strain, lumbosacral strain with IVDS, and left shoulder strain as secondary to a lateral collateral ligament right ankle due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder and left shoulder disorder as new evidence has been received since previous denials.

The Board remands the issues of entitlement to service connection for a neck disability, right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, and vision disability due to additional development needed.

The Board remands the claims for increased ratings and service connection to the AOJ for further development.

The claims for service connection for GERD, a disorder of the shoulders, and disability of the left index finger, including trigger finger, are remanded for further development.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for various musculoskeletal disabilities, including lumbar spine, right hip bursitis, right shoulder, right knee, and cervical spine disabilities, to obtain additional medical opinions.