Shoulder decisions — 2025

The Board remands the claims for service connection for various disabilities and an increased rating for skin cancer to correct duty-to-assist errors.

The Board granted service connection for a back disability and right shoulder disability, finding that new evidence supported the claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for reversal or revision of August 2011 and February 2012 rating decisions on the basis of CUE.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, right shoulder, and right wrist due to a need for additional development.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability was granted a 40 percent rating from March 10, 2023 to November 2, 2023, and the 20 percent rating resumed thereafter.

The Board granted service connection for the veteran's claimed conditions, including iliotibial band syndrome of the left knee, a cervical spine disability, radiculopathy of the right and left upper extremities, alopecia totalis, a right hip disability, a left hip disability, a right elbow disability, a right shoulder disability, and a left shoulder disability.

The Board granted a 50 percent disability rating for migraines and denied increased ratings for dermatitis, allergic rhinitis, and irritable bowel syndrome. The remaining claims for service connection were remanded.

The Board remands the claims for additional evidence and a medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's left shoulder, cervical, and back conditions were proximately caused by his participation in the VA CWT program.

The Board granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis of the right shoulder, and osteoarthritis and degenerative arthritis of the right knee prior to October 25, 2023. The claim for a left knee disability was also granted based on continuity of symptoms since service.

The Board granted service connection for tinnitus but denied service connection for the remaining conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD and left shoulder strain, finding that his symptoms did not more closely approximate a higher rating.

The Board granted an initial rating of 20 percent for left ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain and a higher rating of 40 percent for right shoulder degenerative changes, but remanded the claim for service connection for chronic sinusitis.

The Board granted service connection for left hip osteoarthritis and right hip osteoarthritis as secondary to the Veteran's now service-connected knee disabilities, but denied service connection for a variety of other conditions including bilateral ankle, shoulder, foot, mood disorder, tinnitus, hyperlipidemia, and knees.

The Board denied service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease, heart condition, hypertension, right shoulder and arm condition, and left hip condition as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred during or related to the Veteran's period of active service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a higher initial disability rating for left shoulder strain, as the evidence did not show that his range of motion was limited to 25 degrees or less from the side.

The Board denied service connection for right shoulder and left knee disabilities as there is no evidence of these conditions in service or until years thereafter, and no competent evidence linking them to active duty.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right shoulder, left shoulder, right knee, left knee, right wrist, left wrist, lung condition, mental health condition (anxiety and depression), thoracolumbar spine, cervical spine, plantar fasciitis, and migraine due to a lack of evidence supporting current disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for a compensable disability rating for his residual scar from lipoma removal surgery and multiple lipomas, as the evidence did not support an area of 144 square inches or greater.

The Board granted an initial disability rating of 40 percent for the lumbar spine disability and a 30 percent rating for the right shoulder disability, effective from June 21, 2021. The decision also granted TDIU and special monthly compensation at the housebound rate.

The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for pseudofolliculitis barbae and granted a 20 percent rating for left and right lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy, while denying service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome, insomnia, neck strain, shoulder strain, and sleep apnea.