Shoulder decisions — 2026

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of a left shoulder condition is remanded due to the need for an examination and medical opinion. The Board cannot yet adjudicate the claim as no VA examination was performed at the time of the AOJ decision.

The Board has found that the Veteran experienced arthritis of the bilateral shoulders, hips, lumbar spine, and left knee since active duty service. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's initial rating for obstructive sleep apnea is denied as it does not meet the criteria for a higher than 50 percent rating.,The Veteran's initial rating for chronic neck pain (neck disability) is denied as it does not meet the criteria for a higher than 20 percent rating.,The Veteran's increased rating for low back pain (back disability) is denied as it does not meet the criteria for a higher than 10 percent rating.,The Veteran's increased rating for left shoulder impingement (left shoulder disorder) is denied as it does not meet the criteria for a higher than 20 percent rating.,The Veteran's increased rating for right shoulder impingement (right shoulder disorder) is denied as it does not meet the criteria for a higher than 20 percent rating.,The Veteran's initial rating for deviated nasal septum is granted with a 10 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for Alzheimer's disease, left knee disability, left shoulder and arm pain, psychological disability (PTSD), and seizure disorder due to a duty to assist error in obtaining the Veteran's service records from the National Personnel Records Center.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left shoulder disability was originally filed on June 20, 2022. The claim was denied in October 2022 but the Veteran timely submitted a supplemental claim within one year of the denial. In September 2023, the VA granted service connection and assigned an effective date of July 21, 2023. The Veteran then filed for higher-level review which resulted in the current decision granting an earlier effective date of June 20, 2022.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected conditions, finding that he was not precluded from obtaining and/or maintaining gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for rhinitis, sinusitis, hypertension, back disability, left hip disability, right hip disability, left shoulder disability, and right shoulder disability have been denied as there is no evidence of these conditions during or within one year after service. The Board finds that the Veteran did not sustain a disease or injury while on active duty that caused his post-service disabilities.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations for the Veteran's right shoulder strain, left shoulder degenerative arthritis, right wrist strain, left wrist strain, right knee strain, and left knee strain are inadequate. The claims are therefore being remanded to schedule new examinations.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left shoulder disorders, finding that there is no evidence of in-service injury or symptoms related to these conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine, left shoulder, and right shoulder disabilities due to a lack of evidence showing in-service injury or disease that led to current disability.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not rated higher than noncompensable (0 percent).,Service connection for tinnitus has been granted.,Service connection for lumbar spine pain, left lower extremity radiculopathy, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left knee pain, and right knee pain have all been granted.,Service connection for an unspecified anxiety disorder has been granted.,The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine condition is the primary cause of his bilateral knee and shoulder pain.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee injury and right shoulder injury, finding that these conditions are directly related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal of the initial compensable disability rating for hemorrhoids is dismissed. The claim for service connection for a sleep disorder (claimed as trouble sleeping) is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The Veteran will be provided with notice of his right to a hearing before the VA.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been remanded due to insufficient evidence. The Board found that the Veteran's right knee disabilities, bilateral plantar fasciitis, left shoulder condition, hemorrhoids, tinnitus, perforated eardrums, and hearing loss do not meet the criteria for higher ratings or service connection at this time.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis, shoulder disabilities, upper extremity radiculopathy and peripheral neuropathy, elbow and wrist disabilities, hand/finger disabilities, hip and knee disabilities, ankle and foot disabilities, lower extremity radiculopathy, hypertension, and left ear hearing loss are all denied as there is no current evidence of these conditions during or proximate to the appeal period.

The Board has granted a 70 percent rating for the Veteran's PTSD, effective April 15, 2019. The Veteran is denied entitlement to a TDIU based solely on his PTSD.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for fibromyalgia, neck pain, left shoulder pain, and right shoulder pain due to a lack of medical examination.

The Veteran's initial increased disability rating for disseminated coccidioidomycosis with resection lesion of the right shoulder and debridement of the left chest and 10th rib was granted from October 1, 2009, to September 14, 2023. Service connection for generalized joint pain as secondary to service-connected coccidioidomycosis and rash as secondary to service-connected coccidioidomycosis were also granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral shoulder disabilities were denied as the Veteran failed to report for necessary VA examinations without providing good cause.