Shoulder decisions — 2025

The Board denied service connection for headaches and left shoulder strain, but remanded claims for tinnitus, chronic pulmonary issues, and lower back pain due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error.

The Board denied service connection for an endocrine disorder, separate and distinct from hypothyroidism, and remanded the issues of increased ratings for left knee degenerative joint disease, left shoulder DJD, and unspecified anxiety disorder.

The Board denied a compensable rating for chronic urticaria and a rating more than 10 percent for bilateral plantar fasciitis, while remanding claims for service connection for heart disease, anxiety condition, back strain, bilateral shin splints, left knee condition, right knee condition, left shoulder condition, and right shoulder condition.

The Board granted service connection for a left shoulder disability and denied service connection for scar of the head, face, or neck. The claims for service connection for GERD, erectile dysfunction, right elbow disability, and acquired psychiatric disability were remanded.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeal for higher ratings on all listed service-connected conditions due to a concurrent election of options, which is prohibited.

The Board denied service connection for left and right hand osteoarthritis, anxiety, PTSD, sleep problems, and a left shoulder disability. The claim for TDIU was remanded.

The Board granted service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, left foot hammer toe, iliotibial band syndrome, right knee, migraines, and benign neoplasm of the thyroid. Service connection was denied for arthritis of the bilateral hips.

The Board denied service connection for multiple conditions, including a right hip condition, restless sleep, sleep apnea, and low back condition, as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in or caused by active military service.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for left and right shoulders, left and right hips, left and right knees, and lumbar spine due to incomplete VA opinions.

The Board remands the claims for secondary service connection for right and left shoulder disabilities due to a need for an adequate medical opinion addressing the Veteran's theory that altered lifting mechanics due to his service-connected low back disability contributed to his shoulder disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, migraines, and right shoulder disability have caused him to be unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a right shoulder skin disorder, to include lipoma, and gout due to inadequate VA medical opinions.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 40 percent for his right shoulder disability, as there was no evidence of unfavorable ankylosis or other severe manifestations that would warrant a higher rating.

The Board granted service connection for left ankle, right ankle, right shoulder, right wrist, and left knee disabilities. The appeal was denied for a compensable rating of the left ear hearing loss disability.

The appeal was partially denied, with the denial of increased ratings for left shoulder and knee disabilities, but a separate award of service connection for left knee instability was granted.

The Board granted a 40 percent rating for the right ulna disability from October 30, 2013 to May 29, 2015 and denied increased ratings for other conditions.

The Board is remanding the claim for a new medical examination due to an internally inconsistent January 2021 VA examination.

The Veteran withdrew the appeal for service connection for bilateral hip strain, right shoulder strain, sleep apnea, and an initial compensable disability rating for atopic dermatitis.

The Board denied service connection for right and left wrist disabilities, right and left lower extremity radiculopathy, and bilateral hearing loss. However, the claim for headaches was granted, and some claims were remanded.

The Board denied the veteran's appeal for a timely filing of an appeal regarding service connection and initial rating for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, as well as other conditions.