Shoulder decisions — 2026

The Veteran's claim for DEA benefits under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35 was granted effective April 17, 2024, based on his multiple service-connected disabilities. The Board found that the earliest possible effective date is April 17, 2024, which the Veteran has been granted and believes to be the correct date.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of his eye disability was granted. His claim for a compensable rating for sinusitis was also granted, and he is entitled to a higher rating for headaches, CTS of the right hand, and left knee disability.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus, right and left shoulder impingement syndrome due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or any incident therein.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of upper extremity neuropathy, and therefore service connection for this condition is denied. The claims for bilateral foot conditions, low back condition, left shoulder condition, right shoulder condition, left hip condition, right hip condition, left knee condition, right knee condition, left ankle condition, and right ankle condition are remanded due to the failure to provide a VA examination prior to the December 2024 rating decision.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including arthritis in the joints (lower back and right shoulder), GERD, migraine headaches, high blood pressure, and erectile dysfunction. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's active military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left shoulder conditions, as well as other disabilities, were denied in January 2010. The effective dates of these determinations are October 20, 2011.,An earlier effective date is not granted for the grant of service connection for bilateral shoulder conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient explanation regarding whether the Veteran requires personal care services and if participation in PCAFC would be in his best interest. The matter is now on remand for further clarification.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left arm and shoulder condition, as well as a jaw condition, are being remanded due to procedural errors. The Board will consider the evidence of record at the time of the April 2024 agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) decision.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been submitted to support the Veteran's claims for service connection of right knee, left knee, right shoulder, and left shoulder conditions. As a result, these claims are being readjudicated.,The Board has also determined that new and relevant evidence has been submitted to support the Veteran's claim for service connection of bilateral knee and shoulder conditions. As a result, these claims are being readjudicated.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the Veteran's death, and no one has requested substitution for the Veteran.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board has granted an increased rating to 30 percent effective July 30, 2015.

The Board has determined that remand is needed for new medical opinions to address the etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions, specifically osteoarthritis and kidney disability, due to ionizing radiation exposure. The claims are being returned to the RO for further development.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection and rating for various conditions, including pain in different parts of the body and gastrointestinal problems. The AOJ will need to obtain information about any medical examiners who conducted examinations during the appeal period.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates earlier than September 27, 2006 for various disabilities have been denied.,Effective dates prior to September 27, 2006 were not granted for the service connection grants and disability ratings of several conditions.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy, left shoulder disability, and right ankle disability are granted as service-connected based on new evidence provided since the prior decisions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for back condition, left knee condition, and right shoulder condition due to inadequate medical opinions. The Veteran's reported pain is considered in determining whether these conditions are related to military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection of right and left shoulder disabilities due to a lack of VA examination, requiring further evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions regarding his claimed disabilities, as well as errors in the pre-decisional duty to assist.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, as they prevent prolonged standing and walking.