{"page":"https://casescribe.ai/explorer/conditions/shoulder-impairment","generated_at":"2026-10-03T18:34:04.650Z","data_as_of":{"decisions":944125,"first_year":2017,"last_year":2026,"latest_decision":"2026-04-30","cfr":"2026-10-01","m21":"2026-09-29"},"about":{"publisher":"CaseScribe AI (VA Law Explorer)","source":"Public Board of Veterans' Appeals decisions (appeals of VA decisions, not VA's first decisions), M21-1 Adjudication Procedures Manual, 38 CFR Parts 3 and 4.","method":"Outcomes are issue-level: each condition the Board decided in a decision counts once. Decision data is extracted by AI and can contain errors. Rates describe past appeals and do not predict any claim.","disclaimer":"For research only. CaseScribe AI is not a law firm and this is not legal advice. Verify figures against the source decisions and regulations.","attribution":"Cite as: VA Law Explorer, CaseScribe AI, with the page URL."},"data":{"condition":"Shoulder impairment","all_conditions_granted_pct":19.4,"decisions":33609,"years":"2017-2026","granted_pct":15.2,"denied_pct":31.8,"remanded_pct":53.5,"granted_on_merits_pct":32.3,"by_year":[{"year":2017,"issues":2434,"granted_pct":9.2,"denied_pct":32.9,"remanded_pct":53.9},{"year":2018,"issues":3964,"granted_pct":10.6,"denied_pct":33.6,"remanded_pct":52.9},{"year":2019,"issues":4507,"granted_pct":11,"denied_pct":31.8,"remanded_pct":55.5},{"year":2020,"issues":4726,"granted_pct":11.6,"denied_pct":36.4,"remanded_pct":50.6},{"year":2021,"issues":4537,"granted_pct":12.4,"denied_pct":32.4,"remanded_pct":53.8},{"year":2022,"issues":4425,"granted_pct":14.6,"denied_pct":25.4,"remanded_pct":58.6},{"year":2023,"issues":4913,"granted_pct":14,"denied_pct":26.9,"remanded_pct":58.1},{"year":2024,"issues":5134,"granted_pct":16.8,"denied_pct":29.1,"remanded_pct":53.2},{"year":2025,"issues":5050,"granted_pct":20.3,"denied_pct":32.1,"remanded_pct":46.6},{"year":2026,"issues":1995,"granted_pct":24.7,"denied_pct":32,"remanded_pct":42}],"benefit_of_doubt_in_grants_pct":73,"evidence_on_merits":[{"evidence":"va_exam_favorable","decisions_with":3265,"granted_pct_with":56.7,"granted_pct_without":28.1},{"evidence":"va_exam_unfavorable","decisions_with":24931,"granted_pct_with":31.1,"granted_pct_without":37.8},{"evidence":"nexus_positive","decisions_with":4432,"granted_pct_with":68.4,"granted_pct_without":23.5},{"evidence":"nexus_negative","decisions_with":16627,"granted_pct_with":32.1,"granted_pct_without":32.6},{"evidence":"private_opinion","decisions_with":9092,"granted_pct_with":44.6,"granted_pct_without":26.2},{"evidence":"treating_physician","decisions_with":1394,"granted_pct_with":57.1,"granted_pct_without":30.9},{"evidence":"lay_statement","decisions_with":27904,"granted_pct_with":32.7,"granted_pct_without":29.8},{"evidence":"buddy_statement","decisions_with":1297,"granted_pct_with":55.6,"granted_pct_without":31.3},{"evidence":"combat_service","decisions_with":1872,"granted_pct_with":47.7,"granted_pct_without":31.3}],"top_reasons":{"granted":[{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":745},{"reason":"continuity of symptomatology since service","decisions":161},{"reason":"caused by the service-connected disability","decisions":89},{"reason":"criteria for service connection met","decisions":74},{"reason":"service connection established","decisions":64},{"reason":"in-service injury documented","decisions":49}],"denied":[{"reason":"no in-service complaints, treatment or diagnosis","decisions":1406},{"reason":"preponderance of the evidence against the claim","decisions":1162},{"reason":"va examiner: less likely than not related to service","decisions":1126},{"reason":"service records negative or silent","decisions":812},{"reason":"no current diagnosis","decisions":745},{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":589}]},"recent_examples":{"granted":[{"case_id":"A26040565","year":2026,"judge":"J. B. FREEMAN","rationale":"In-service injury (boxing tournament); Surgery for labral tear; Benefit of the doubt applied"},{"case_id":"A26040618","year":2026,"judge":"JONATHAN HAGER","rationale":"Current disability established by credible testimony of pain causing impairment in earning capacity.; In-service injury established by STRs showing right trapezius muscle strain in May 1994.; Nexus established by credible and consistent lay testimony regarding pain and impairment since service, with… [truncated, 35 chars omitted]"},{"case_id":"A26040863","year":2026,"judge":"J.P. NORMAN","rationale":"STRs show shoulder complaints during ADT in July 2019; Veteran has current bilateral shoulder strains diagnosed in March 2020; Evidence in approximate balance, favoring grant of service connection"}],"denied":[{"case_id":"A26040509","year":2026,"judge":"M. C. GRAHAM","rationale":"No VA treatment records for shoulder disabilities; No functional impairment of earning capacity found; Record weighs against service connection"},{"case_id":"A26040581","year":2026,"judge":"CYNTHIA M. BRUCE","rationale":"September 2014 rating decision became final as no NOD was filed and no new/material evidence was received.; CUE requires undebatable error that manifestly changed the outcome, not a disagreement on evidence weighing.; Prior VA policy assigned a 10 percent rating for painful motion irrespective of th… [truncated, 143 chars omitted]"},{"case_id":"A26040694","year":2026,"judge":"MATTHEW W. BLACKWELDER","rationale":"STRs silent for shoulder conditions; Veteran denied upper extremity issues in service; Post-service complaint in 2021; VA exam found no diagnosis for left shoulder; Examiner opined less likely than not related to service"}]},"how_va_rates":null,"rules":[]}}