Shoulder decisions — 2026

The Board has determined that the initial decision denying PCAFC benefits was not supported by adequate rationale and requires further review. The Veteran's eligibility for personal care services is in dispute, as well as his need for supervision or protection based on neurological impairment.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to the lack of a current disability. The appeal is remanded for further examination and medical opinions regarding spine disorder, infectious mononucleosis, left shoulder instability, right shoulder instability, and right lower extremity pain.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability has been rated at 20 percent since November 15, 2011. The Board found that the evidence does not support a higher rating due to lack of ankylosis or fibrous union of the humerus.

The Board denied eligibility for benefits under the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) due to insufficient evidence showing that the Veteran is in need of personal care services for a minimum of six continuous months.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for lower back, neck, right hip, and left shoulder conditions due to inadequate VA medical opinions.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for back, left shoulder, right shoulder, left hip, and right hip disabilities due to duty-to-assist errors. The Veteran is not entitled to presumptive or secondary service connection.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence was presented to readjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee, right shoulder, lumbar spine, and cervical spine disabilities. However, these issues are being remanded due to procedural errors in obtaining a VA medical opinion.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to the Veteran not meeting the auditory threshold criteria. The claims of service connection for elbow, knee, shoulder, and left ankle disabilities are remanded as there may be outstanding service treatment records and VA treatment records that need to be obtained.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for left shoulder impingement syndrome, finding that it is at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected right shoulder impingement syndrome.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted as his service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for OSA and Right Knee Disability, as well as his claim for an increased rating for Right Shoulder Muscle Atrophy Group III. The Board found no evidence of a causal relationship between these conditions and service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a pre-decisional duty-to-assist error and insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus and his left shoulder disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for back pain, right knee pain, sleep apnea, anxiety, depression, blurry vision, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), left elbow condition, right elbow condition, left shoulder rotator cuff, and right shoulder rotator cuff have been reopened due to the submission of new evidence. However, the Board finds that there is no persuasive evidence linking these conditions to service.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for anxiety, depression, blurry vision, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), left elbow condition, right elbow condition, left shoulder rotator cuff, and right shoulder rotator cuff have been denied as there is no persuasive evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral pes planus, effective from October 24, 2025. Service connection for a back disability and right shoulder disability is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a right shoulder disorder, finding that his pre-existing condition did not worsen during service.

The Board has denied a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and granted a 10 percent rating for right knee strain. The issue of service connection for a right shoulder condition is remanded due to insufficient medical evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left eye condition, bilateral knee pain, low back pain, and bilateral shoulder pain due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The Veteran's STRs are incomplete and need to be obtained, as well as VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of any diagnosed disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed disabilities are not related to his active service, including exposure to contaminants at Camp Lejeune or diabetes mellitus.

The Board has granted a 10 percent increased rating for Morton's neuroma, left foot (scars) and denied an increased disability rating in excess of 20 percent for left shoulder strain.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a VA examination to determine if his left and right shoulder conditions are caused or aggravated by his service-connected back condition.