The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis and rotator cuff tear of the left shoulder, finding that his current disability is etiologically related to service.
The deciding factor: The VA clinician provided a medical opinion supporting the Veteran's contention that his left hand injury led to his current shoulder pathology, which was found to be more likely than not caused by the in-service injury and age-related degeneration.
- Claimed conditions
- acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis, rotator cuff tear
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 26, 2026
- Citation
- A26017583
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation A26017583.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's right shoulder disorder and right knee strain are being remanded for further examination to determine if they are caused or aggravated by his service-connected internal derangement of the left knee, considering whether obesity is a substantial factor in their development.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right shoulder disorder, finding no evidence linking his current condition to military service or any service-connected disability.
- Granted
The Veteran's low back disability is granted a rating of 40 percent effective August 31, 2018. The right shoulder disability is granted a rating of 40 percent effective August 31, 2018.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for right shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis, acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis, and bursitis (right shoulder) disability, as well as lumbosacral strain. The Veteran's left pinky finger status post fracture is denied an initial compensable rating.
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