Shoulder decisions — 2025

The Veteran's service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is granted an evaluation of 70 percent disabling, but no higher. Other claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied or remanded.

The Board granted a 40 percent evaluation for the right shoulder disability from August 9, 2023, but denied evaluations in excess of 10 percent and 20 percent prior to that date.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the increased (20 percent) rating for a right shoulder disability but granted earlier effective dates of January 4, 2022, for the increased (20 percent) rating for a cervical spine disability and for the grants of service connection for left and right upper extremity radiculopathy.

The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, and remanded the claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a right shoulder disability, a right knee disability, and headaches due to insufficient evidence.

The Board remands the claim for an increased rating in excess of 20 percent for right shoulder degenerative arthritis with residuals status post two right shoulder surgeries to correct a pre-decisional duty to assist error.

The Board remands the claims for a new VA medical opinion to address the Veteran's lay reports of symptoms and to determine the etiology of his right shoulder disability.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance due to service-connected conditions.

The Board denied the claims for increased ratings for right shoulder strain and left elbow fractures, but granted service connection for sleep apnea.

The Board remands the claim for service connection of a right shoulder disorder to obtain medical opinions on whether it is caused or aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected cervical spine disability.

The Board granted service connection for tinnitus, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran. The other claims were remanded for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right knee and left shoulder disabilities, except for a separate 10 percent rating for right knee instability.

The Board granted an initial increased rating of 70 percent for PTSD with alcohol use disorder and remanded the claims for service connection for pain of the left shoulder, pain of the lumbar spine, and sciatic radicular pains.

The Board remands the claim for service connection for a right shoulder condition due to missing records and new evidence of potential aggravation during service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for right shoulder, elbow limitation, elbow flexion, and lateral epicondylitis with tendinitis. The claim for a compensable rating for allergic rhinitis was remanded.

The appeals for service connection for various conditions were dismissed due to the Veteran's untimely and improper submission of a VA Form 10182.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for a painful left shoulder scar and a compensable evaluation for four left shoulder surgical scars, status post total left shoulder replacement.

The Board remands the claims for a higher disability rating for left wrist, lower back, right hip, and right shoulder disabilities, as well as an increased rating for left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, to obtain a supplemental opinion that evaluates the baseline severity of these conditions without considering the effects of medication.

The Board denied service connection for right ear hearing disorder, dry eye disorder, and urinary disorder. Tinnitus was granted, but the Veteran's left knee degenerative joint disease, right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, left knee degenerative joint disease with instability, right shoulder bicipital tendonitis, and left shoulder bicipital tendonitis do not warrant increased ratings.

The Board denied service connection for multiple conditions, including fatigue, bilateral eye disability, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, GERD, penile condition, left foot disability, and others. Some claims were remanded for further development.

The Board granted service connection for right and left hallux valgus, right and left femoral acetabular impingement syndrome, right knee degenerative arthritis, left knee strain, cervical strain, right shoulder strain, and dyspnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the spine and sleep apnea.