Shoulder decisions — 2025

The Board denied earlier effective dates for several service-connected disabilities and initial ratings in excess of the assigned percentages. An increased rating of 20 percent was granted for the right ankle disability. Claims for service connection for left knee, right knee, left hip, and right hip disabilities were denied. The claims for service connection for a left shoulder disability, hypertension, right upper extremity radiculopathy, left upper extremity radiculopathy, and entitlement to TDIU were remanded.

The Veteran was granted a separate rating of 20 percent for recurrent dislocation of the left shoulder and restoration of a 20 percent rating for the right knee disability. Other claims were denied.

The veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and headaches were denied. An increased rating of 20 percent, but no higher, for right foot pes planus was granted prior to August 10, 2023, and denied on and after that date. Other issues related to ratings and effective dates were also denied or remanded.

The veteran's service connection for squamous cell carcinoma of the buccal mucosa was granted with an effective date of May 19, 2017. A 100% rating was assigned from May 19, 2017, to April 16, 2018. The veteran also received a 40% rating for residuals of a resection of the left scapula and a TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation from May 16, 2009, to March 10, 2013. The Board granted TDIU and DEA benefits during this period.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for various disabilities, including a right shoulder disability, right ankle disability, left ankle disability, low back disability, and obstructive sleep apnea, to obtain additional medical opinions addressing aggravation as distinct from causation.

The Board remanded the veteran's claims for service connection for several conditions, including neck disability, shoulder disability, and various joint issues. The decision was based on errors in duty to assist and the need for further development of the evidence.

The appeal for service connection of obstructive sleep apnea and a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The appeals for right knee, left knee, right shoulder, left shoulder, lumbar disorders, and an acquired psychiatric disorder were remanded.

Service connection for right shoulder arthritis, left shoulder arthritis, and right elbow arthritis is granted. Other issues related to the knees are denied.

The Board dismissed claims for diverticulitis, hiatal hernia, right ankle disability, and left finger scar. Claims for left ankle disability and acquired psychiatric disorder were denied. Other conditions were remanded.

The Board granted service connection for the veteran's left shoulder disability, finding that the evidence was at least in equipoise regarding its relation to military service.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a right shoulder disability has been granted based on new and relevant evidence showing an in-service injury.

The Board granted service connection for the veteran's right shoulder condition, finding that it was at least as likely as not incurred during a drill weekend in May 1985.

The veteran's appeal for service connection of a back disability was granted due to new and relevant evidence. All other issues were remanded.

The Board denied an increased rating for the veteran's right shoulder disability and service connection for a left eardrum burst.

The veteran is granted TDIU from January 11, 2019, to January 10, 2021, but the appeal for TDIU from January 11, 2021, is dismissed as moot.

The Board denied service connection for the veteran's right shoulder condition, finding no evidence that it was incurred or aggravated during active duty.

The Board remanded the claim for service connection of a right shoulder disability to correct errors and gather more evidence.

The appeal for service connection of a psychiatric disorder secondary to left shoulder disability is remanded. The Board will re-evaluate the claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a right shoulder condition is granted. The Board found that the evidence supports the Veteran's claim.