Shoulder decisions — 2025

The Board denied service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, hemorrhoids, and a thoracic spine disorder. Service connection was granted for hypertension, and an initial rating of 30 percent was assigned for irritable bowel syndrome.

The Board granted service connection for a left shoulder strain, cervical strain, and deviated septum but denied increased ratings for the right index finger conditions.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD and a compensable rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB), but granted service connection for left sciatic radicular pain and paresthesia, right sciatic radicular pain and paresthesia, and right shoulder pain.

The Board remands the claim for service connection for a right shoulder disability due to an inadequate VA medical opinion.

The Board remands the claim for a non-initial disability rating in excess of 20 percent for right shoulder impingement syndrome and rotator cuff tendonitis with bicipital tendon tendonitis/tear, status post arthroscopy due to outstanding private treatment records.

The Board granted an effective date of September 21, 2022, for the Veteran's 100 percent rating for major depressive disorder (MDD), 30 percent rating for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and 30 percent rating for a right shoulder disability.

The veteran withdrew the appeal for all service connection and increased rating claims, including those related to various conditions such as right foot condition, TMJ, asthma, jawbone condition, sleep apnea, kidney stones, chronic bronchitis, Alpha gal, encephalopathy, left shoulder, left ankle, cervical spine, right hip, tachycardia, loose teeth, and jawbone condition.

The Board granted service connection for major depressive disorder and anxiety, but dismissed the claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for a right thumb disorder, a compensable rating for a right thumb scar, a rating in excess of 10 percent for a right thumb scar, and a left great toe disorder as moot. The claims for service connection for a left hip disorder, a right shoulder disorder, and PTSD were remanded.

The Board granted service connection for a right shoulder disability, a left shoulder disability, a right hip strain, a left knee strain, and a left ankle strain based on the Veteran's in-service injuries and continuous symptomatology since service.

The Board remands the claim for service connection for a left shoulder disability to ensure all relevant treatment records are obtained and an adequate medical opinion is provided.

The Board remands the Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for right shoulder strain and in excess of 10 percent for right knee strain to correct pre-decisional duty to assist errors.

The Board remands the claim for a left shoulder disability to schedule a VA examination due to an in-service laceration and current symptoms.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for the Veteran's right-shoulder condition and remanded claims for service connection for right-hand and left-hand conditions.

The Board granted increased compensable evaluations for the Veteran's status post left ankle sprain, status post right ankle sprain, and medial epicondylitis of the left elbow. The claim for service connection for a left knee disability was denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for increased ratings and service connection, finding no persuasive evidence that the criteria for increased evaluations were met prior to the respective claim or examination dates.

The Board granted service connection for right shoulder disability and right hip bursitis, as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for a migraine headache disability was denied as a matter of law, and several other claims were remanded for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left shoulder disorder due to lack of evidence showing a current disability related to service.

The Board denied service connection for GERD and various increased rating claims while granting a 30% disability evaluation for IBS with constipation, an effective date of November 12, 2021, for the award of a 20% rating for right shoulder instability, and a 10% rating for painful motion of the right knee.

The veteran's appeal for service connection for lumbosacral strain, left shoulder condition, and right knee condition was dismissed due to a late filing of the Board Appeal request.