Shoulder decisions — 2025

The Board granted a rating of 50 percent for the Veteran's left shoulder disability, status post total left shoulder replacement, as it exhibited chronic residuals consisting of severe, painful motion and weakness.

The appeal for service connection for tinnitus, melanoma to the left lower eye lid, and skin cancer on the back was dismissed. The appeal for asthma was granted in part, as a Higher-Level Review (HLR) request was timely filed. Other appeals were denied.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and sleep disturbance, and remanded the claims for a right wrist disability, right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, right leg disability, left leg disability, and bilateral foot disability.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a higher rating for tinnitus, while remanding claims for service connection for an anxiety condition, back strain, bilateral pes planus, left shoulder condition, right knee condition, and dizziness.

The Board denied an effective date prior to June 24, 2024, for the award of service connection for left shoulder glenohumeral joint dislocation.

The Board denied service connection for left and right shoulder strains, as well as a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a mental health disorder, respiratory disorder, left foot disorder, left shoulder disorder, and TBI to correct pre-decisional duty to assist errors.

The Board granted service connection for several conditions, including peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities, respiratory disorder with dyspnea, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), abdominal pain syndrome (APS), restless leg syndrome (RLS), chronic headaches, left knee strain, right knee strain, lumbosacral strain, and disability manifested by right shoulder pain. The Board also granted increased ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities to 40 percent.

The Board remands the claim for service connection for a left shoulder disorder to obtain an addendum opinion addressing the etiology of the Veteran's diagnosed left shoulder strain.

The Board granted service connection for a bilateral foot disability, to include pes planus, plantar fasciitis, and hallux valgus, and an initial 70 percent rating for PTSD. It also granted earlier effective dates for the assignment of ratings for lumbosacral strain, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board granted service connection for left and right elbow disabilities, as well as initial ratings of 30 percent and 40 percent, respectively, for upper extremity radiculopathy. The claims for higher initial ratings for shoulder strains were denied.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection for degenerative arthritis, a left shoulder disability, bilateral lower extremity nerve conditions, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and a neck disability due to non-jurisdictional procedural defects in the Veteran's August 2024 VA Form 10182.

The Board granted service connection for a left shoulder condition, finding that the evidence is at least approximately balanced as to whether it is causally linked to the Veteran's military service.

The Board remands the claims for an eye disability and a left shoulder disability for further development, including obtaining a medical examination.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for various conditions as there has not been substantial compliance with its previous directives.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a left hip and shoulder condition to correct pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors and ensure proper development of the Veteran's claims.

The Board remands the veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability, right shoulder disability, depression, and tinnitus due to duty to assist errors prior to the April 2024 rating decision.

The Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (adjustment disorder with mixed emotional features) as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right ankle strain and instability, but denied service connection for right shoulder, left shoulder, left foot, and right foot disabilities.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for bilateral ankle, knee, and right shoulder disabilities as well as an acquired psychiatric disability due to a need for new VA medical examinations.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a back disability, bilateral knee disabilities, right shoulder disability, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and respiratory disability to correct pre-decisional duty to assist errors.