Shoulder decisions — 2026

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to adjudicate the claims for service connection for a head injury, right shoulder disability, and bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's claims are being remanded to obtain further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability was not found to meet the criteria for a higher rating, as it did not result in limitation of motion at or below the level required for a 30 percent rating. The Board denied the claim for a higher rating.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to duty-to-assist errors and requests for additional evidence. The Veteran's left shoulder disabilities, including residuals of a childhood fracture and arthritis, will be further evaluated.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him so helpless as to require the regular aid and attendance of another person, meeting the criteria for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder, neck disorder, and right shoulder disorder due to deficiencies in the VA medical opinions provided. The Veteran will need new VA medical opinions to determine if his current disorders are related to his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disorder, left lower extremity radiculopathy, neck disorder, left upper extremity radiculopathy, and left shoulder disorder. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated during active duty.,A noncompensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was also denied.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his attorney, and the Board is dismissing the case.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him in need of regular aid and attendance due to his back and associated radiculopathy disabilities, which require assistance with activities such as bathing, dressing, transferring, housekeeping, and meal preparation.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service-connected. The claims for the remaining conditions are denied due to lack of new and relevant evidence.

The Veteran's claims for left ankle, right shoulder, and lower extremity olecranon scar disabilities were denied in a March 2018 rating decision. The claim to reopen these previously disallowed conditions was not filed within the required time frame.,The Veteran's claim for left elbow conditions, including left elbow dislocation, olecranon bursitis, triceps tendonitis, and ulnar collateral ligament posterior band sprain, was denied in a February 2020 SOC. The claim to reopen this condition was not filed within the required time frame.

The appeals regarding service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right foot plantar fasciitis, erectile dysfunction, hypertension, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), left ankle sprain, right shoulder arthritis, degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, and left knee condition are dismissed.,The appeals regarding service connection for right shoulder arthritis and right knee condition are granted.

The Board has granted service connection for a right shoulder disorder, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his active military service. The other issues of secondary service connection and psychiatric disability are remanded.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for a compensable evaluation for service-connected hypertension and for service connection for atrial fibrillation, skin cancer, hyperhidrosis, left knee condition, left hip condition, right hip condition, right shoulder condition, and left shoulder condition due to procedural errors in filing.

The Board finds that there are pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors in this case and requires VA examinations and opinions to cure the errors. The Veteran's claims for PTSD, left leg and knee condition, left shoulder condition, left wrist condition, right knee condition, right shoulder condition, right wrist condition, and erectile dysfunction are pending.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been submitted to reconsider the claim for service connection of a left shoulder disability. The case is being remanded to allow the AOJ to consider this evidence on the merits.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical injury and bilateral shoulder condition are being remanded due to the need for VA examinations to determine their etiology.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left shoulder disability as secondary to his service-connected right shoulder disability. The medical evidence supports that the Veteran's left shoulder disability is due to overuse and wear and tear from compensating for his right shoulder.

The Board has granted effective dates of October 13, 2022 for the service connection of headaches, a cervical disability, right shoulder impairment of the humerus, right shoulder limitation of motion, right hip limitation of flexion, right hip limitation of extension, right hip impairment of the thigh and back disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spine and right shoulder disabilities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether these conditions are congenital defects or diseases, as well as their relationship to service.

The Veteran's appeal of service connection for a left shoulder condition and lumbosacral strain was dismissed due to the appellant's withdrawal before the Board could make a decision.