Shoulder decisions — 2026

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, requesting higher-level review of the February 2025 rating decision. The Board dismissed the appeal as a result.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of his claims.

The Veteran's left shoulder condition is rated at 30 percent, granting the requested increased rating. The claims for cervical and lumbar spine disorders are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of lumbosacral strain and left shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis is remanded due to a duty to assist error. The AOJ must obtain an adequate medical opinion addressing the etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including right shoulder disorder, left shoulder disorder, neck disorder, left knee disorder, chest pain, respiratory condition (to include exercise induced asthma and shortness of breath), migraines, and tinnitus. The evidence does not support a finding of current disabilities for these conditions.

The appeal regarding the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a right shoulder condition is dismissed because the May 9, 2025, AOJ decision was not final and did not constitute an adjudicative determination from which a NOD may be filed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been dismissed as the initial decisions granting these conditions were already granted in prior rating decisions.

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

The Veteran's right shoulder disability, including labral tear and osteoarthritis of the shoulder joints, was denied service connection due to lack of evidence linking it to service. The Veteran's radiculopathy of both lower extremities was also denied as there were no symptoms that warranted a higher rating.,The left hand disability (other than essential tremor) remains unresolved and requires further examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for right shoulder cuff tendonitis with impingement syndrome and for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance due to a lack of consideration of evidence submitted after the initial decision. The claims are being remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, migraine headaches, knee pain, and right shoulder strain were granted. The appeal was based on new evidence that reopened these previously denied claims.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for neck, left shoulder, left elbow, and left pectoral conditions due to insufficient medical evidence. The Veteran's reports of in-service injuries are being evaluated along with post-service symptoms.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability and denied service connection for an upper back condition, left elbow condition, right shoulder condition, and skin conditions.

The Veteran's headaches, left shoulder degenerative joint disease, and frozen right shoulder have been granted service connection. The lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis of the spine and sinusitis have also been granted service connection.,Service connection for a left shoulder disability has been denied due to lack of in-service injury or continuous symptoms since separation from service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right shoulder strain, bilateral ankle strain, acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral plantar fasciitis, and back strain have been dismissed without prejudice due to the Veteran's request to withdraw these issues.

The Veteran's bilateral knee and shoulder disabilities, as well as his neck and back strains, are being remanded for further examination to determine their etiology. His tinnitus is also being remanded for a medical opinion.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for residuals of left shoulder labral tear including SLAP with subluxation and degenerative arthritis was denied. The evidence did not show symptoms more nearly approximating malunion of the humerus, recurrent dislocation of the humerus at scapulohumeral joint with frequent episodes and guarding of all movements, fibrous union of the humerus, nonunion of the humerus, or loss of head of the humerus. The Veteran's disability was rated as 20 percent disabling.

The Veteran's right knee replacement and left shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis have been granted service connection, with the Board finding that there is at least a 50% likelihood that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right and left shoulder disabilities were denied because she failed to report for scheduled VA examinations without good cause.

The Veteran's motion to revise a non-compensable rating decision for osteoarthritis of the left shoulder is denied as there was no clear and unmistakable error in the original determination.