Shoulder decisions — 2025

The Board grants service connection for a left shoulder disability, finding the evidence to be in approximate equipoise as to whether it is related to an in-service injury.

The Board granted a 20 percent disability rating for left shoulder strain, effective February 28, 2019, but denied a higher rating and service connection for right shoulder strain.

The Board granted service connection for osteoarthritis of the right and left shoulders, finding that these conditions are related to in-service injuries.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for various disabilities, including an acquired psychiatric disability, a left ankle disability, a right shoulder disability, a lumbar spine disability, bilateral plantar fasciitis, and a stomach disability (claimed as stomach parasite), to obtain additional medical evidence.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for back disability, neck disability, left shoulder disability, and sleep disability as there was no evidence of an in-service injury or event, and the current conditions were not etiologically related to his military service.

The Board remands the claim for a medical examination and opinion to determine if the Veteran's current right shoulder disability is related to his military service.

The Board granted service connection for a right shoulder disability, to include rotator cuff tendonitis and tear, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board granted service connection for left ankle sprain, right ankle sprain, and right shoulder strain based on evidence showing current disabilities etiologically related to in-service injuries.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities preclude substantially gainful employment, and a total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is granted.

The Board granted service connection for a right shoulder disability and denied increased ratings for left acromioclavicular separation with degenerative arthritis and scar, left shoulder, s/p arthroscopic surgery.

The Board granted readjudication of six service connection claims based on new and relevant evidence, including hearing testimony and a nexus statement from Dr. Townsend. All six claims were remanded for further development, including obtaining incomplete service treatment records, VA treatment records, private medical records, and adequate VA examinations and medical opinions.

The Board granted service connection for a right shoulder disorder, finding that the evidence supports a nexus between the current disability and the Veteran's military service.

The Board granted a 10 percent disability rating for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and denied a compensable disability rating for non-allergic rhinitis. The claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, migraines, right knee, left knee, low back, and right shoulder disabilities were remanded.

The appeal with respect to service connection for PTSD was dismissed due to the grant of service connection by the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) in September 2023. The remaining claims were remanded for further development.

The Board denied service connection for a right shoulder disorder and remanded claims for left knee pain and a psychiatric disorder, other than PTSD.

The Board granted a 50 percent rating for an acquired psychiatric disability and a 20 percent rating for a right shoulder disability, but remanded the claims for increased ratings in excess of 10 percent for right shoulder trapezius strain and external hemorrhoids, as well as service connection for lupus.

The Board remands the claim for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any current right shoulder disorder.

The Board remands the claim for a new VA examination to provide an adequate opinion and rationale regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right shoulder strain.

The Board denied service connection for the veteran's claimed conditions as there was no evidence of a current disability at any time during the appeal period.

The Board granted readjudication of the claims for service connection for right shoulder, right finger, and left hand disabilities due to new evidence, but denied the claim for a dental disability. The Board also granted entitlement to TDIU based on service-connected disabilities and eligibility for Class IV dental treatment purposes.