Shoulder decisions — 2025

The Board granted service connection for a right shoulder disability and denied increased ratings for lumbar spine, right knee, left knee, and right hip disabilities.

The Board granted earlier effective dates for the assignment of ratings and service connection based on an intent to file a claim submitted by the Veteran prior to his formal claim.

The Board granted a 40 percent rating for chronic lumbar strain, restored the 10 percent rating for right knee patellofemoral syndrome effective February 11, 2023, and granted separate 10 percent ratings for instability of the right knee. The decision also granted a 70 percent rating for PTSD from June 8, 2021, and TDIU based on PTSD alone from August 21, 2021, along with SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s) based on housebound status from the same date.

The Board denied service connection for radiculopathy of the upper and lower extremities, but remanded claims for a neck disability, lower back disability, right shoulder disability, left ankle disability, and right ankle disability.

The Board granted service connection for a right shoulder condition and migraines, with ratings of 30 percent effective from November 2, 2022.

The Board granted service connection for a right shoulder disability, cervical and lumbar spine disabilities, and secondary service connection for cervical and lumbar radiculopathies.

The Veteran was granted a 20 percent rating for epilepsy, psychomotor and service connection for right middle finger scar. Several claims were withdrawn and dismissed.

The Board denied service connection for headache, back, neck, and left shoulder disabilities as the conditions were not shown to be chronic in service or manifest within the applicable presumptive period; continuity of symptomatology was not established; and there was no evidence linking the disabilities to an in-service injury or disease.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for left knee and shoulder disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support higher ratings under applicable criteria.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for left hip pain, right hip pain, and right shoulder disability due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Board granted service connection for right shoulder strain, left shoulder strain, and bilateral shin splints based on new and relevant evidence.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for cervical spine pain, low back pain with degenerative changes of the lumbosacral spine, and right shoulder condition to secure a VA examination and opinion.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for left knee instability, left knee arthritis, right shoulder strain, and residual scars to the right shoulder, index finger, and long finger.

The Board granted readjudication of service connection for a left shoulder disorder and remanded the claims for a skin disorder due to insufficient evidence.

The appeals for earlier effective dates were dismissed due to a violation of claims-processing rules.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and radiculopathy, left lower extremity (sciatic nerve), while granting service connection for temporomandibular joint (TMJ) strain. The Board also granted a 30 percent rating for bilateral plantar fasciitis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for service connection for right shoulder strain with rotator cuff tendonitis and obstructive sleep apnea, as well as remanded the claim for a low back disability.

The Board remands the case for an addendum opinion to address the nature and etiology of the right shoulder disorder, considering the Veteran's lay statements and clinical notes.

The Board granted service connection for a right shoulder disability, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's right shoulder disability was caused by service.

The Board remands the claims for a VA examination to address deficiencies in the current medical evidence regarding the Veteran's left shoulder disability, including range of motion testing and the impact of pain-relieving medications.