Shoulder decisions — 2025

The Board denied service connection for a right shoulder condition, finding that the evidence does not support an etiological link to active service.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals remands the claims for service connection for headaches, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), lumbar spine disability, left shoulder strain disability, right ankle disability, and right wrist disability for additional medical opinions.

The veteran withdrew the appeals for increased ratings of his right shoulder and lower back conditions, resulting in their dismissal.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for left and right shoulder conditions, finding no evidence of a causal relationship between the current disabilities and his military service.

The Board denied an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for left shoulder arthritis and impingement syndrome rotator cuff arthropathy, finding that the Veteran's disability did not more nearly approximate ankylosis or the functional equivalent thereof, impairment of the humerus, impairment of the clavicle or scapula, or flexion and/or abduction limited to 25 degrees from the side.

The appeal for service connection for right shoulder pain is dismissed as moot because the Veteran was granted service connection for right shoulder strain.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for back, left shoulder, gastrointestinal, and dental conditions to obtain additional evidence and examinations.

The Board denied increased disability ratings for the back, right shoulder, and left lower extremity radiculopathy as the symptomatology did not meet or approximate the criteria for higher ratings.

The Board denied increased ratings for PTSD, left shoulder rotator cuff tear, and dermatitis while granting a 20% rating for the left ankle disability and a 10% rating for the right great toe scar. The Veteran's eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance was also denied.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions and a compensable disability rating for the Veteran's trochanteric pain syndrome with limitation of flexion of the right thigh, as well as migraines including migraine variants.

The appeal was dismissed due to untimely filing of the notice of disagreement and violation of claims processing rules.

The Board denied service connection for right and left shoulder disabilities as there was no evidence of a nexus between the current diagnoses and military service.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and denied ratings in excess of 20 percent for left shoulder strain from September 10, 2018 to April 29, 2024 and in excess of 50 percent for residuals of left shoulder replacement from June 1, 2025. However, a 20 percent rating was granted for the left shoulder strain from March 29, 2012 to September 10, 2018, and TDIU was granted.

The Board remands the matter for additional development, including obtaining outstanding Social Security Administration records and scheduling a VA examination to reassess the Veteran's right shoulder disability.

The Board remands the issues of service connection for various bilateral and unilateral disabilities due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's National Guard service eligibility and incomplete service records.

The Board remands the issues of entitlement to service connection for a left shoulder and left arm disability as there has not been substantial compliance with prior remand directives.

The Board remands all issues on appeal for further development, including obtaining additional medical opinions and ensuring compliance with prior remand directives.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for right knee scars and remanded claims for service connection for right elbow and shoulder disorders.

The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's lumbar spine IVDS, right shoulder strain, and right knee conditions but granted a separate 20 percent rating for his right knee meniscal tear.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a neck, left shoulder, right shoulder, and headache disabilities to ensure that VA has met its duty to assist by obtaining complete service records and relevant private treatment records.