Shoulder decisions — 2025

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD was rated 70 percent disabling since December 16, 2018, and the Board granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) for this condition alone effective from that date.

The Board denied an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for dry eye syndrome and remanded the evaluations for left shoulder strain due to insufficient evidence.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for diabetes and right shoulder disability due to insufficient evidence.

The Board remands the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left shoulder disability for an addendum medical opinion to address whether the current left shoulder strain is related to active service.

The Board granted an effective date of October 4, 2016 for the award of service connection for left foot hallux valgus and granted service connection for a neck disability and a left shoulder disability as secondary to the now-service-connected neck disability. The issue of an earlier effective date for right foot hallux valgus was dismissed.

The Board granted a 10 percent rating for impetigo and denied all other claims for increased ratings.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for the Veteran's claims, finding that an intervening claim consumed his September 2021 intent to file a claim.

The Board granted a clothing allowance for the neck brace and right shoulder sling, but denied it for the left knee brace.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, left shoulder impingement syndrome with bursitis, right shoulder impingement syndrome with bursitis, lumbosacral strain, and neck strain to allow for additional development of evidence.

The Board denied service connection for multiple musculoskeletal conditions, including the cervical spine, thoracolumbar spine, left and right ankles, hips, shoulders, and right knee.

The Board denied an initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the claims for service connection for asthma, a thoracolumbar spine disorder, and a right shoulder disorder.

The Board denied a compensable rating for right ear hearing loss and remanded the claims for service connection, an initial compensable rating for a bilateral eye disorder, and other orthopedic conditions.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) effective from March 14, 2014. The initial rating for diabetes mellitus type II and the left shoulder condition are denied or partially granted with specific ratings.

The Veteran withdrew the appeals for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, a right shoulder disability, and a left shoulder disability.

The Board is remanding the claim for a VA opinion to address evidence of trapezius atrophy and to discount the effects of medications on the disability rating.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for various conditions, including hearing loss and musculoskeletal disorders, due to inadequate medical examinations.

The Board remands the veteran's claims for service connection and a compensable rating due to pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors, including the need for new medical opinions.

The Board denied service connection for a left shoulder disability as the evidence did not support an in-service injury or disease and there was no nexus to service.

The Board remands the issues of service connection for various conditions due to incomplete personnel records, including those related to a court-martial.

The appeal for service connection for a left shoulder disability is dismissed due to the Veteran's death during the pendency of the appeal.