Shoulder decisions — 2025

The Board denied an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to January 11, 2024, and in excess of 40 percent thereafter. The claims for a compensable rating for costochondritis, service connection for a right shoulder disability, and obstructive sleep apnea were remanded.

The Board remands the claim for a left shoulder condition to obtain an adequate medical opinion regarding its etiology, including whether it is secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right shoulder acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis status post acromioplasty or due to in-service treatment for left shoulder impingement syndrome.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for right and left shoulder disabilities to obtain an adequate VA medical opinion regarding whether these conditions are at least as likely as not aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected neck disability.

The Board granted service connection for a bilateral foot disability, right shoulder disability, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as generalized anxiety disorder. The claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including anxiety and depression, right shoulder strain, right knee pain, neck pain, hearing loss disorder, chronic fatigue syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome, sinus disorder, right lower extremity neurological disorder, left lower extremity neurological disorder, right toenail paronychia, and headaches.

The Board remands the claim for a new examination to address the Veteran's contentions and ensure an adequate assessment of his right shoulder disability.

The Board granted service connection for generalized anxiety disorder, bilateral hearing loss, bilateral tinnitus, and a left shoulder disability.

The Board denied service connection for a right shoulder disability as the evidence did not support that it was incurred in or caused by active military service.

The Board denied service connection for arthritis of the bilateral hands, left shoulder disability, and right shoulder disability as there was no evidence to support a current disability or a relationship to service.

The Board remands the issue of entitlement to service connection for a right shoulder disorder due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error.

The Board denied an increased rating for the Veteran's right shoulder strain with impingement syndrome, acromial spurs, type II acromion, and arthritis AC joint, as the disability picture did not more closely approximate limitation of the major arm midway between side and shoulder level.

The appeal was denied due to untimely filing of the Board Appeal requests.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, functional abdominal pain syndrome (FAPS), and fibromyalgia. The initial disability ratings for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and migraine headaches were also denied. Some claims related to other disabilities were remanded.

The Board granted an initial 10 percent rating for allergic rhinitis and a 30 percent rating for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, but denied a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss.

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

The Board remands the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right shoulder disability to correct a pre-decisional duty-to-assist error by scheduling an examination.

The Board granted service connection for bilateral hand tremors and denied increased ratings for pain of the cervical thoracic region, post traumatic residual pain of the left shoulder, allergic rhinitis, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

The Board granted an effective date of August 26, 2020, for a 20 percent disability rating and denied a higher rating during the appeal period.

The Board granted service connection for a right shoulder condition, left shoulder condition, right foot conditions (hallux rigidus, calcaneal spurs, and plantar fascitis), left foot conditions (hallux rigidus, calcaneal spurs, and plantar fascitis), and bilateral Achilles tendonitis.

The Board granted entitlement to special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance, denied an increased rating for PTSD beyond the current 100% rating, denied earlier effective dates for SMC housebound status and DEA benefits, and dismissed the issue of a TDIU as moot.