Shoulder decisions — 2025

The veteran's claims for effective dates of November 24, 2021, for various conditions were granted.

The Board remanded the claim for a higher disability rating due to issues with the medical examination. The Veteran's representative challenged the competency of the examiner, and the Board agreed that a new examination by a board-certified orthopedic specialist is necessary.

The veteran's spouse was granted an effective date for special monthly compensation based on housebound status. The claim for a higher rating for the right shoulder condition was remanded.

Service connection for tinnitus is granted. The claim for a left shoulder disorder is remanded for further review.

The veteran is granted a 10% disability rating for hypertension but denied service connection for heart disability, right carpal tunnel syndrome, left carpal tunnel syndrome, and right shoulder disability.

The Board remanded all claims for service connection due to inadequate medical examinations and opinions.

The Board denied service connection for the veteran's left shoulder and right elbow conditions, as well as initial compensable ratings for migraine headaches, non-allergic rhinitis, and sinusitis. The claim for cervical strain was remanded.

Service connection for headaches, low back disability, left knee disability, and right knee disability is granted. Service connection for left shoulder disability and right shoulder disability is remanded.

Service connection for bilateral pes planus is granted. Other claims are remanded for further development.

Service connection for lumbar spine disorder is denied. Appeals for OSA, right shoulder disorder, right elbow disorder, left knee disorder, and right knee disorder are dismissed.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were mixed. Some conditions, such as left ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain and left shoulder strain, were granted service connection. Others, like allergic rhinitis and sinusitis, were denied.

The Board denied service connection for the veteran's left shoulder condition because there is no current diagnosis or evidence of a disability.

The Board denied service connection for all claimed conditions, finding that the veteran's disabilities did not originate in or are related to his military service.

Service connection for Lyme disease and several other disabilities was denied. Service connection for sleep apnea was remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and higher ratings were mixed. Some issues were denied, some granted, and others remanded.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for keloid scars was denied, but a separate 20 percent rating for painful facial scars was granted. All other issues were remanded.

The veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral cataracts and residuals of a left little finger fracture were dismissed because they had already been granted. The claims for service connection for a left leg disorder, low back disorder, right shoulder disorder, and sinusitis were denied due to lack of evidence showing current disability.

The Board remanded the claim for service connection of a right shoulder strain because the medical opinion was inadequate. The Veteran's service treatment records indicated complaints of right shoulder pain, and further examination is needed.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for migraine headaches was denied. The veteran was granted a higher rating for migraine headaches but denied higher ratings for rhinitis and other conditions. Some issues were remanded for further review.

The veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance was denied from May 29, 2020 to March 26, 2023 but granted from March 27, 2023 onwards.