Shoulder decisions — 2026

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty-to-assist error in not obtaining an examination for a current left shoulder disability related to service. The Veteran's reports of shoulder pain during Vietnam service are considered, but no VA examiner has addressed whether he currently has such a disability or if it is related to his service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, left shoulder disability, and right shoulder disability are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

Service connection for hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea, neck pain secondary to right elbow condition, and right shoulder pain secondary to right elbow condition has been granted. An initial rating of 70 percent for PTSD is also granted from March 11, 2024.,The Veteran's PTSD causes occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, headaches, cervical spine condition (neck condition), left ankle condition, left elbow condition, left knee condition, and left shoulder condition as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions.,The Veteran's assertions regarding the onset of his claimed conditions were not supported by medical evidence or service records.

The Veteran has withdrawn all pending appeals, effective June 17, 2025.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder osteoarthritis and fibromyalgia due to potential aggravation by her service-connected disabilities. The RO must obtain medical opinions addressing whether the Veteran's conditions were aggravated by her service-connected disabilities.

The appeal for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for a left shoulder disability has been withdrawn by the Veteran's authorized representative.

The Veteran's shin splints of the right and left lower extremities are granted as service connection is established due to her in-service physical training.,The Veteran's shoulder, knee, and ankle disabilities are remanded for further development regarding their relationship to her Reserve service.

The Veteran's appeals for effective dates and ratings have been dismissed as the issues were already addressed in a previous Board decision under the Legacy appeal system.

The Veteran's appeals for the proposed reduction of facial scars, an increased rating for tinnitus, and service connection for migraines have been dismissed due to untimely filings or lack of good cause.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for torn labrum and osteoarthritis of the left shoulder, finding no unadjudicated claim prior to October 20, 2014.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for moderate recurrent MDD with PTSD and granted it as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left wrist condition.,The Board also granted service connection for a right shoulder disability and a right elbow disability, both of which are considered secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left upper extremity conditions.

The April 24, 1995, Rating Decision was reversed and service connection for coccyx disability is granted. Other motions for revision of the April 24, 1995, Rating Decision were denied or remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral shoulder degenerative arthritis, finding that the Veteran's current condition is proximately due to his military activities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities require regular aid and attendance from another person, resulting in the grant of special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance. The issue of SMC at the housebound rate is dismissed as it is a lesser benefit than SMC based on aid and attendance.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions are granted effective from August 4, 2023.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is granted as service-connected, caused by his service-connected left shoulder disability.,From December 5, 2019, the Veteran's migraine headaches are granted an increased evaluation to 50 percent.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for all claims of service connection, including those for bilateral flat feet, thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis, cervical spine degenerative arthritis, right CTS, left CTS, essential tremors, right ankle arthritis, right shoulder arthritis, and left knee arthritis. The appeal of sleep apnea was granted in a July 2024 rating decision.

The Board has denied service connection for left ear hearing loss and granted earlier effective dates of January 22, 2024, for the grants of service connection for right ear hearing loss, a left shoulder disability (left shoulder strain with joint instability), a low back disability (lumbosacral strain with intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS)), left knee strain, left knee limitation of flexion, and left knee limitation of extension.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the Board is dismissing all issues related to effective dates and service connection.