Shoulder decisions — 2025

The Board denied service connection for right shoulder strain, finding that the evidence does not support a relationship between the condition and the Veteran's active service.

The Board denied an initial compensable rating for a right upper extremity scar post abscess drainage and remanded the issue of service connection for a right shoulder pain disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an earlier effective date of service connection for left thumb tendonitis and a higher initial disability rating for bilateral glaucoma, and remanded several other claims for further development.

The Board denied service connection for a psychiatric disability other than PTSD and hypertension, and remanded several claims for further development.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for left and right shoulder disabilities due to an inadequate VA examination.

The Board remands the claim for a right shoulder disorder to cure a pre-decisional duty to assist error due to an inaccurate factual premise in the previous VA examination.

The appeal for an increased rating for lumbosacral strain with intervertebral disc syndrome was dismissed as it was not timely filed.

The appeal for service connection for PTSD was dismissed as the claim was granted in full.

The Board granted a 50 percent initial rating for the Veteran's major depressive disorder, recurrent episode, mild and generalized anxiety disorder but denied higher ratings for his lumbosacral strain and left shoulder disability.

The appeal for service connection for tinnitus was dismissed, and the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right shoulder strain, left shoulder strain, back injury, cervical strain, hypothyroidism, visual impairment of the right eye, visual impairment of the left eye, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) were remanded.

The Board restored service connection for squamous cell carcinoma right inferior lip and squamous cell cancer of the left shoulder and left hand with basal cell carcinoma of the right upper arm, as well as special monthly compensation (SMC) based on housebound criteria.

The Board granted service connection for a right shoulder disability, finding it at least as likely as not related to in-service workouts.

The Board granted service connection for a lumbar spine condition and denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for allergic rhinitis, while remanding the other issues.

The Board remands the Veteran's claims for service connection for back, left foot, right foot, right index finger, and right shoulder disabilities, as well as fatigue claimed under the PACT Act, due to a need for in-person VA examinations and medical opinions.

The Board granted service connection for right knee, left knee, right hip, and right shoulder disabilities, as well as PTSD. The claims for a left shoulder disability, left hip disability, left wrist disability, right wrist disability, right ankle disability, left ankle disability, lumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, left upper extremity radiculopathy, right upper extremity radiculopathy, headaches, facial scars from pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB), and a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss were dismissed due to an improper concurrent election.

The Board remands the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of cold weather injury, identified as disability of the left side of the neck, the left shoulder, and the left hip, to correct a pre-decisional duty to assist error.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating or service connection for any of the conditions appealed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment and required regular aid and attendance to perform activities of daily living, effective February 22, 2021.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, as there was no evidence to support a higher rating or service connection for any of the conditions appealed.

The Board granted service connection and increased ratings for multiple conditions, including thoracolumbar spine spondylosis with disc herniation, right ankle fracture residuals, right shoulder impingement syndrome, left ankle strain, left shoulder bicipital tendon tear, rotator cuff tear with arthritis status post-surgery and chronic post-procedural pain, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy.