Shoulder decisions — 2026

Effective dates of February 23, 2023 have been granted for the award of service connection for right shoulder separation, diabetes, dry eyes, peripheral neuropathy of left lower extremity, and peripheral neuropathy of the feet.

The Veteran's PFB, left shoulder strain, right shoulder strain, and tension headaches are all denied as they do not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.,Specifically, the evidence does not show that the Veteran meets the requirements for an increased rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left shoulder and left ankle disabilities are being remanded due to pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors, including the need for additional medical opinions regarding functional loss and ameliorative effects of medications.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hips, knees, shoulders, and IBS are granted. The claim for persistent fatigue was denied. An initial 70 percent rating is granted for unspecified anxiety disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, neck disability, left elbow disability, and left shoulder disability on a direct basis. The reasonable doubt in each case has been resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including right shoulder tendonitis, cervical strain, chondromalacia patella right knee, lumbar degenerative disc disease with strain, episodes of locking left knee, left knee degenerative joint disease with patellofemoral pain syndrome and chondromalacia patella status-post surgery, and limitation of extension left knee, have rendered the Veteran unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since May 15, 2019.

The Board has granted service connection for a groin condition. The remaining issues of service connection for left hip contusion, left foot disability, low back injury, and acquired psychiatric disability are remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses for any of the claimed conditions, and therefore, service connection cannot be granted.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for various hip, knee, shoulder, nerve condition disabilities are denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's claimed respiratory, shoulder, and ankle disabilities.

The Veteran's right shoulder disorder was denied service connection initially, but new evidence received after the March 2008 rating decision is relevant to this issue. The Board finds that a current diagnosis for right shoulder impingement syndrome exists and that it did not have its onset during service or otherwise be related to service.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for left and right shoulder strains due to a lack of relevant medical evidence in the record.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, which was dismissed due to the appellant's request for withdrawal.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for left and right shoulder disabilities due to a lack of a VA examination and opinion, as well as incomplete evidence.

The Veteran's right shoulder and right side rib conditions have been granted initial ratings of 40 percent, but no higher. The TDIU issue has also been remanded.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased ratings for left knee pain and right shoulder impingement syndrome with rotator cuff tear and glenoid labrum degeneration, effective March 1, 2024.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left shoulder condition may be related to service, and thus remands the case for a new VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the condition.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating to 30 percent for residuals of shrapnel, right shoulder is granted. The claim for an increased rating in excess of 20 percent for right shoulder acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis, status post rotator cuff repair is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder, left shoulder disorder, and right shoulder disorder are being remanded because they are inextricably intertwined with the implementation of his award for chronic osteomyelitis of the right lower extremity with a BKA.

The Board has granted service connection for a left shoulder disability, diagnosed as status post left shoulder total arthroplasty due to osteoarthritis of the left glenohumeral and acromioclavicular joints. The temporary total rating for post-surgical convalescence is also granted.

The Veteran's claims for an effective date prior to October 16, 2023, and initial compensable rating for erectile dysfunction have been denied.,Claims for service connection of left shoulder disorder, hypertension, TBI, and IBS are also remanded due to the need for further development.