Shoulder decisions — 2025

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for left shoulder strain, left ankle strain, and left knee strain with shin splint due to his failure to report for scheduled VA examinations without good cause.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability and eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance benefits, as there were no prior pending claims for increased ratings or TDIU that remained pending when these benefits were granted.

The Board granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to multiple service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and a rating in excess of 70 percent for post-traumatic stress disorder with alcohol use disorder. The left shoulder strain with subacromial bursitis was remanded.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a right wrist sprain and left shoulder strain as the November 2023 VA medical opinions are inadequate.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for the awards of service connection for right shoulder rotator cuff, right shoulder scar, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy, all effective March 1, 2022.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for acute left ankle sprain, finding that there was no evidence of an in-service injury or a causal relationship between the current disability and any in-service event. The claims for cervical strain and left shoulder strain were remanded for further development.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions and dismissed claims, with some issues remanded.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates, service connection, and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability, except for granting a total disability rating from October 16, 2024.

The Board denied service connection for the left and right knee disorders, as well as the right shoulder disorder. The earlier effective dates for posttraumatic headache disability and cervical spine disability were also denied, but the rating for the cervical spine disability was restored to 30 percent.

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

The Board granted service connection for a right shoulder disability and bilateral pes planus (flat feet) based on the evidence of record.

The Board denied service connection for a right shoulder condition and a cervical spine condition, finding that the evidence did not support a causal relationship between the current disabilities and the Veteran's active duty service.

The Board granted service connection for tinnitus, finding it presumptively related to the Veteran's active duty. The other claims were remanded for further development.

The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's right shoulder disabilities and remanded claims for service connection for residuals of a stroke, an acquired psychiatric disability, and headaches.

The Board remands the claims for an increased initial evaluation and a separate compensable evaluation for right shoulder impingement tendonitis with scapulocostal syndrome due to inadequate examination reports and outstanding VA treatment records.

The Board granted service connection for left shoulder bone spur, resolving reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss, scars from left shoulder surgery, and degenerative joint disease of the right hip with thigh impairment.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that the evidence did not support higher or compensable ratings for the claimed conditions.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for treatment purposes only under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 17 for various disabilities, including neck disability, tendonitis, right shoulder disability, and neurological disabilities of the upper and lower extremities, to afford the appellant appropriate examinations and obtain medical opinions.