Shoulder decisions — 2026

The Board has decided to remand the cases for new VA examinations due to inadequate opinions in the July 2020 VA examination reports. The Veteran's right shoulder disorder, left ankle disorder, and lumbar spine disorder are being reviewed again to determine if they are related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions were granted effective from July 1, 2020.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability, low back condition, bilateral knee disabilities, and left shoulder strain have been granted service connection. The Veteran's low back condition has been increased to a 40 percent evaluation, while the bilateral knee conditions remain at their current 10 percent evaluations.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on multiple conditions have been dismissed. The Board has also remanded several issues related to erectile dysfunction and bowel dysfunction.

The Veteran's TDIU claim for bilateral knee disabilities and his right and left knee scars have been granted. He is now rated at a combined 60% disability rating from June 1, 2018 based on bilateral factors for his bilateral knee disabilities.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection for sleep apnea and a left shoulder condition due to the Veteran's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back condition and right shoulder rotator cuff strain, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating of 70 percent for service-connected Adjustment Disorder with Mixed Anxiety and Depressed Mood is granted. The remaining issues are remanded for further evaluation.

The VA denied an initial compensable disability rating for the appellant's right shoulder scars, as the evidence did not show that the area of the scars met or more nearly approximated the criteria for a higher rating under DC 7802.

The Veteran is granted an effective date of December 10, 2015 for total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and basic eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA). The decision also grants earlier effective dates for these benefits.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection were dismissed due to a procedural defect in filing the claims on the correct form.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal before the Board could make a decision on his service connection claims.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is being remanded for a VA examination to determine if it is proximately due to or has undergone any incremental increase in disability due to his service-connected mental health, back, and shoulder disabilities.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability has been rated at 20% since December 2020, and the Board has granted a maximum schedular rating of 30% based on limitation of motion to 25 degrees from the side.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an extension of a temporary total rating for his left shoulder disability, finding that he did not require convalescence beyond August 31, 2011 following his surgery.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, anxiety disorder, back disability, left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, and right knee disability. The claim for service connection for residuals of a concussion is remanded.

The Veteran's hypertension, left shoulder strain, and right shoulder disability are all granted as service-connected.,The Veteran is also remanded for a rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative arthritis of the spine and for service connection for sleep apnea.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for a low back disability. The Veteran's left shoulder disability is also remanded for further development, including obtaining an addendum opinion regarding its severity without considering medication effects.

The Veteran's right shoulder disorder and right knee strain are being remanded for further examination to determine if they are caused or aggravated by his service-connected internal derangement of the left knee, considering whether obesity is a substantial factor in their development.

The Board has determined that the VA's duty to assist was not fulfilled in this case, as there is no shoulder VA examination prior to the rating decision on appeal. The Veteran's left shoulder condition may be related to service, including his in-service injury during fleet week while rappelling out of a helicopter.