Shoulder decisions — 2025

The Board denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for right shoulder strain and remanded the claim for service connection for hypertension.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a digestive disability other than diverticulosis with lactose intolerance, but granted an initial 10 percent rating for bilateral shin splints effective March 22, 2020.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for the grant of service connection and increased rating, finding that the April 9, 2018 claim date was appropriate.

The Board remands the issues of service connection for various conditions to correct a duty to assist error that occurred prior to the December 2022 decision on appeal.

The Board granted a rating of 20 percent for right shoulder scars, based on the Veteran's reports of pain and resolving reasonable doubt in his favor.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability was denied. The claims for right knee disability and ratings in excess of the assigned percentages were remanded.

The veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for left carpal scaphoid fracture with degenerative arthritis was denied. The claims for service connection for right shoulder bursitis, right foot condition, and left foot condition were remanded.

The Board remanded all issues related to service connection for various conditions, including bilateral pes planus, right and left shoulder disorders, bilateral foot disorder (plantar fasciitis), and a bunion on the left foot. The Veteran's lay statements were not adequately addressed in previous examinations.

The Board remanded the veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder and neck disabilities due to procedural issues.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a tonsil disability was denied. The claims for back, right shoulder, left shoulder, right hip, and headache disabilities were remanded for further examination.

The Board denied an initial disability evaluation in excess of 20 percent for the veteran's left shoulder rotator cuff tear and an increased evaluation in excess of 70 percent for PTSD.

The veteran's service connection claims for left and right shoulder disorders, as well as left and right knee disorders, were granted.

The veteran's claim for service connection for left shoulder strain has been granted. The Board found that the veteran's left shoulder strain is related to his military service.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral foot disability was readjudicated due to new evidence. Other claims, including those for left elbow, hand, shoulder, thigh, ankle, right elbow disabilities, cataracts, hypertension, diabetes, GERD, and chronic kidney disease were denied. The claim for a right knee disability was remanded.

The veteran's claim for lumbosacral strain is being reopened due to new evidence. The claim for right upper extremity radiculopathy was granted and dismissed from appeal. Other claims, including those for a right shoulder condition, back condition, left knee condition, and left upper chest scar, are being remanded for further review.

The appeal for service connection of a right shoulder disorder is remanded. The VA needs to conduct further examinations and provide adequate opinions on the condition.

The Veteran's appeal for specially adapted housing (SAH) and special home adaptation grant (SHA) was denied because his service-connected conditions do not meet the required criteria.

The veteran was granted service connection for erectile dysfunction but denied for left elbow disability. The rating for neck disability and PTSD were not increased, and several other conditions were remanded for further review.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is granted. The Board found that the Veteran is unable to obtain or maintain gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for the veteran's left shoulder disability, stating that the evidence does not support a finding that the condition is related to his period of eligible service. The veteran's dishonorable discharge from the Marine Corps also bars him from receiving VA benefits for this period.