Shoulder decisions — 2026

The Veteran's claim for service connection and a rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus, as well as claims for other conditions, were granted. However, the effective date is set at September 13, 2022, and no higher rating or additional benefits are awarded.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of February 19, 2019 for the award of special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for right shoulder impingement with mild degenerative change, finding that new evidence supports a causal link to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable initial rating for allergic rhinitis is denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome is denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for gastrointestinal disability, left shoulder disability, and obstructive sleep apnea secondary to PTSD due to a duty-to-assist error in obtaining private treatment records.

The Board has dismissed the claims for service connection for cervical spine, left knee, left shoulder, left wrist, and right wrist disabilities. The claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability is remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for left and right shoulder disabilities, finding that the current disabilities did not manifest within a year of separation from active duty and continuity of symptomatology was not established.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral shoulder disabilities, finding that there is no evidence to support a nexus between his current shoulder conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's lung condition, diagnosed as minimal obstructive lung defect, is denied service connection. The Board finds that the current diagnosis of plantar fasciitis for bilateral foot condition is secondary to a service-connected back disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder strain status post arthroscopic labral repair, decompression and debridement was incurred during active duty service. The decision grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and examination regarding his back condition, right shoulder condition, right ankle condition, migraine headaches, and urinary frequency. The Veteran is not entitled to an initial compensable rating for erectile dysfunction.

The Board has granted service connection for migraines, but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, bilateral knee pain, bilateral shoulder pain, lower back pain, vision issues, and right big toe issue. The Veteran's claim for TDIU is also denied.

The Veteran's bilateral shoulder, hip, back, and lower extremity radiculopathy disabilities are all found to be related to service. The Veteran's hypertension is also found to be related to service.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his service-connected left shoulder disability was denied.,The Veteran was granted entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, subject to controlling regulations governing the payment of monetary awards.,The Veteran was granted an effective date of October 1, 2019, for the award of special monthly compensation (SMC) based on need for aid and attendance, subject to controlling regulations governing the payment of monetary awards.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease with intervertebral disc syndrome and radiculopathy, as well as left shoulder tendinopathy.,Service connection for hypertension as proximately due to posttraumatic stress disorder was also granted.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 30 percent for his right shoulder disability was denied. The VA determined that the Veteran's condition, which includes strain, impingement syndrome, labral tear, and osteoarthritis, is currently manifested by limitation of motion to 45 degrees (midway between side and shoulder level), warranting a 30 percent rating.

The Veteran's right shoulder condition is not deemed a qualifying additional disability due to VA care, and the claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 has been denied.

Service connection for coronary artery disease as secondary to hypertension is granted.,The Veteran's right hip osteoarthritis, status-post right hip replacement, including femoral acetabular impingement syndrome, was assigned a 90 percent rating effective from September 25, 2024.,Earlier effective dates for the 30 percent ratings for osteoarthritis and a degenerative rotator cuff of each shoulder are denied as there is no evidence of record in the one year period prior to September 25, 2024, that these criteria were met.,The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative disc disease including intervertebral disc syndrome, spinal stenosis, and lumbosacral strain with arthritis was assigned a 40 percent rating effective from August 29, 2023.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for burn scars on the face, status post right shoulder scar, and left hip strain have been denied. The evidence does not support a higher rating under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder status post reverse total arthroplasty is caused by his service-connected bilateral knee and neck disabilities, granting service connection for this condition.