Shoulder decisions — 2025

The Board granted service connection for a left shoulder disability, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, right and left lower extremity radiculopathy, but denied service connection for right knee arthritis, left knee arthritis, a right shoulder contusion, left shoulder arthritis, cervical spine arthritis, right upper extremity tremors, and left upper extremity tremors.

The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, gastroesophageal reflux disease, hypertension, chest pain, heart condition, bilateral hip strain, and left shoulder disability. The claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss was reopened.

The Board remanded the claims for increased ratings and service connection for depression secondary to right shoulder disability due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board remands the case for further evidentiary development, including obtaining additional medical records and examinations.

The veteran's left shoulder disability was granted a rating of 40 percent, but no higher, from April 20, 2022. The other issues were remanded for further development.

The Board denied service connection for right and left shoulder disabilities as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions began during active service or were otherwise related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.

The Board remands the claim for a right shoulder condition to obtain an addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran's current right shoulder disabilities are at least as likely as not aggravated by his in-service right shoulder strain.

The Board remands the claims for a right shoulder disorder and lumbar strain to obtain additional medical evidence.

The appeal is remanded for a new examination to clarify the Veteran's disability evaluation, including considering the ameliorative effects of medication and addressing pain in various ranges of motion.

The Board remands the claims for service connection due to a need for additional development, including new examinations and obtaining private medical records.

The Board denied an initial rating greater than 20 percent for the Veteran's right shoulder disability prior to June 1, 2022.

The Board remands the issue of entitlement to a rating in excess of 20 percent for left shoulder rotator cuff tendinitis with degenerative arthritis due to inadequate examination and need for additional evidence.

The Board denied service connection for a left shoulder disability as there is little to no evidence linking the in-service injury to the current condition.

The Board remands the issues of service connection for a seizure disorder, right shoulder disorder, and left shoulder disorder due to herbicide agent exposure and other toxic exposures for further development.

The Board remands the claims for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for a left shoulder disability and an initial compensable rating for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Board denied service connection for the veteran's right shoulder, right-hand, left-hand, right foot, and left foot disabilities as there was no evidence to support a finding that these conditions began during active service or were otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.

The appeal is remanded to address the Veteran's arguments concerning compliance with hearing officer duties and to obtain additional evidence related to muscle impairment associated with his right shoulder disability.

The Board remands the appeal for additional evidentiary development, including readjudication of the issues on appeal and AOJ review of newly obtained evidence.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a right elbow disorder and a right shoulder disorder, as there was no evidence of a current disability or a nexus to service.