Shoulder decisions — 2026

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left knee strain, right knee strain, and left shoulder strain due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his active-duty service.

The Veteran's right foot, left foot, right shoulder, left shoulder, cervical spine, right knee, and low back disabilities are granted service connection. The Veteran's chronic bronchitis is also granted service connection.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder, right knee, and left knee disabilities due to a lack of evidence showing that these conditions began during or are otherwise related to his military service.,There is no credible evidence demonstrating that any of the Veteran's current left shoulder, right knee, or left knee disabilities manifested within one year of discharge from active service.

The Veteran's TDIU is based solely on his service-connected mixed anxiety with depression, and he has additional service-connected disabilities independently ratable at 60 percent or higher. Therefore, SMC based on statutory housebound status is granted as of June 1, 2019.

The Board has remanded the claim for SMC based on aid and attendance due to a pre-decisional error in not considering evidence submitted by the Veteran within the applicable evidentiary window. The AOJ is required to obtain an opinion from an appropriate clinician regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities result in the need for A&A.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, along with other disabilities, has rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board finds that the evidence supports his claim for TDIU.

The Board has remanded the claims for left and right shoulder disabilities, BPH, and sleep apnea due to inadequate VA medical opinions regarding the onset and history of symptoms.,Additional evidence is needed as addendum opinions must be obtained that address the appellant's lay statements about his shoulder problems.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left elbow, cervical strain, left glenohumeral joint osteoarthritis, and right shoulder arthralgia due to a lack of VA examination or treatment records.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection as it is related to his in-service acoustic trauma. Service connection for left shoulder scars, generalized anxiety disorder with ADHD, and migraine headaches were also granted.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on the merits of various conditions have been dismissed due to a prohibited concurrent election. The claims were pending before the RO pursuant to an HLR request when VA received the Veteran's appeal.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis, headaches, left shoulder pain, right shoulder pain, LLER as secondary to lower back condition, and RLER as secondary to lower back condition. The appeals are all denied.

The Board has denied service connection for lumbosacral strain, left knee instability, persistent depressive disorder, and left shoulder strain. The claim for hypertension is remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for hypertension, headaches, sleep apnea, a left shoulder condition, and a skin condition. The appeal was dismissed due to an improper concurrent election.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for allergic rhinitis due to insufficient evidence. The right shoulder and left shoulder condition claims have been denied as there is no current diagnosis of a bilateral shoulder disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder, right ankle, and allergic rhinitis disabilities were granted with an effective date of March 25, 2019.

The Veteran's application for PCAFC was denied due to a lack of personal care services. The Board has determined that the Veteran is in need of personal care services and remands the case for further consideration, including a best interest determination by a clinician.

The Veteran's service-connected post-operative transabdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy with resolving tender incision is found to be the cause of her diagnosed disabilities, including cervical spine degenerative arthritis, left knee degenerative arthritis, patellofemoral degenerative arthritis, right knee degenerative arthritis, patellofemoral degenerative arthritis status post arthroscopy, left shoulder degenerative arthritis, right hand degenerative arthritis, and right wrist degenerative arthritis.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his bilateral knee and right shoulder conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since October 13, 2016.

The appeal regarding attorney fees for past-due benefits awarded in a May 2024 rating decision is dismissed as the Veteran's representative has withdrawn.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed shoulder, knee, and ankle conditions are not related to his military service. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service incurrence or aggravation of these conditions.