Shoulder decisions — 2026

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings for various conditions, including left knee, right knee, left shoulder, right shoulder, and coronary artery disease, have been denied. The Board found no evidence linking these disabilities to the Veteran's active duty.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral shoulder condition, a bilateral foot disability, and an initial compensable rating for hypertension.,There is no current diagnosis related to the Veteran's bilateral shoulders or feet. The VA examiner found that any current bilateral foot disability was less likely than not incurred in service.

The Veteran's left shoulder strain, including a labral tear status post-surgery, is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's bilateral corneal scars are granted as service-connected. The restoration of the 60% disability rating for dermatitis is also granted.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the proposed combination of separate ratings for right shoulder joint replacement and right shoulder rotator cuff tear with post-traumatic arthritis to a single rating is not an appealable decision.

The Board has granted service connection for right shoulder, right shin, and left shin disabilities manifested by pain causing impairment in earning capacity. The decision is based on the Veteran's testimony regarding his symptoms during service.

The claims for service connection for right and left shoulder disabilities are remanded. The claim for sleep disorder (claimed as sleep apnea) remains denied.

The appeal to sever service connection for right shoulder degenerative joint disease is dismissed.

The Veteran's service connection claims for lumbosacral strain, asthma, melasma and hydradenitis, hypertension, an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as depression, anxiety, and stress), left shoulder disorder, right shoulder disorder, left knee disorder, a left foot disorder, and IBS have been granted. The remaining issues are remanded.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a current disability for the conditions claimed, and thus service connection cannot be granted.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, PTSD, and depressive disorder due to another medical condition, is granted as service-connected. The left shoulder and lower back conditions are remanded for further examination.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for right shoulder strain as there is no evidence of a chronic condition in service or within one year after discharge, and the medical opinion found that his current condition is not related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for his service-connected left shoulder tendonitis, right shoulder tendonitis, left knee tendonitis, and right elbow tendinitis (impairment of supination and pronation) have been denied.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for his service-connected right elbow tendinitis (limitation of flexion) has also been denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him so helpless as to be in need of regular aid and attendance, leading to the grant of SMC based on aid and attendance.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to their death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board denied service connection for ganglion cyst, bilateral shoulder pain, and pes planus with plantar fasciitis. The Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.,There is no evidence of a nexus between the Veteran's current conditions and his military service.

The appeal concerning the service connection claims for various conditions and initial compensable evaluations for service-connected erectile dysfunction and bilateral hearing loss is dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date before April 1, 2018 for a 20% rating for left shoulder disability was denied. The appeal also resulted in the assignment of a 20% rating from April 1, 2018 to March 31, 2018, and a TDIU granted from April 1, 2018 to September 3, 2025.

The Board has found that the Veteran's diagnosed back disability is at least as likely as not related to his active duty service and remanded for further examination of his right shoulder disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a duty to assist error, specifically regarding whether the Veteran's current conditions are aggravated by his service-connected DDD of the lumbosacral spine. The AOJ is required to obtain new medical opinions addressing this issue.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left shoulder disabilities, finding insufficient evidence to establish an in-service event or injury related to his shoulders. The Veteran's current shoulder conditions are not linked to his military service.