Shoulder decisions — 2025

The Board remands the claims for service connection for various conditions due to a failure to provide VA examinations after rescheduling attempts.

The Board granted service connection for right shoulder pain/rotator cuff and degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the lumbar spine, finding that the evidence is at least in approximate balance regarding their etiological relation to active duty.

The Board denied service connection for several musculoskeletal disabilities and remanded the claim for a lumbar spine disability for readjudication, while also remanding claims for other musculoskeletal conditions.

The Board denied service connection for a right shoulder disorder, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), an initial compensable disability rating for allergic rhinitis, and an initial disability rating in excess of 30 percent for panic disorder.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a left shoulder condition, right shoulder condition, hypertension, and costochondritis for VA examinations to determine their etiology.

The Board granted service connection for tinnitus, an acquired psychiatric disorder (depression and bipolar with sleep problems/insomnia), left hip osteoarthritis, and left shoulder strain.

The Board granted service connection for the veteran's left shoulder condition, right shoulder disorder, and right shoulder impingement with tendonitis, rotator cuff repair, and arthritis.

The Board granted a 70 percent rating for the service-connected unspecified depressive disorder with insomnia and denied increased ratings for other conditions, remanding several claims for further development.

The Board denied the claim for compensation under the provisions of 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for residuals of left shoulder surgery, finding that the additional disability was not proximately caused by carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment, or a similar instance of fault on the part of VA treatment providers.

The appeal for an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for PTSD was denied as no claim (formal or informal) for an acquired psychiatric disorder was received until August 21, 2017.

The Board denied service connection for a right shoulder disability and a right knee disability as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to the Veteran's active service.

The Board granted service connection for a right shoulder disability, back disability, and related secondary conditions based on in-service injuries.

The Board granted revision of the July 2013 rating decision that assigned a 10 percent rating for right knee internal derangement on the basis of clear and unmistakable error (CUE) but denied revision of the 20 percent rating for right shoulder internal derangement.

The Board denied various claims for increased ratings and effective dates, but granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) from September 7, 2021.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for various conditions due to deficiencies in the record and VA's duty to assist.

The Board granted service connection for left and right elbow conditions, but denied increased ratings for left and right shoulder strains.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including flat foot, plantar fasciitis, left shoulder condition, back condition, bilateral wrist condition, sleep disorder, right shin splints, and bilateral knee condition.

The Board granted service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder and tinnitus, while denying service connection for various other disabilities including the right ankle, left ankle, right shoulder, left shoulder, right knee, left knee, heart, respiratory, kidney, venous thrombosis, urinary hesitancy, acute metabolic encephalopathy, hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea, sleep disturbance, abdominal distension, atherosclerotic peripheral vascular disease, neurological disability, chronic fatigue syndrome, erectile dysfunction, stroke, skin disability, fibromyalgia, bilateral foot pain, hammer toes, tinea pedis, meningitis, GERD, traumatic brain injury, and irritable bowel syndrome. The Board also remanded the claims for service connection for hearing loss and a back disability.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection for a back disability, right shoulder, and GERD due to untimely Notice of Disagreement.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for the awards of service connection and higher initial ratings for various conditions, including PTSD, shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis, migraine headaches, thoracic strain, cervical strain, allergic rhinitis, hemorrhoids, right hand index finger residuals, right wrist residuals, and peripheral neurological involvement.