The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a shell fragment wound of the right hip, PTSD, rotoscoliosis with lumbosacral strain, degenerative disc disease and spondylosis of the lumbar spine, and hypertension. The appeals were based on direct evidence rather than any presumption or secondary service connection.
The deciding factor: The available medical records did not provide sufficient evidence to establish that the veteran sustained a shell fragment wound of the right hip in service, nor was there clear and convincing evidence presented to rebut this presumption. For PTSD, the Board found no indication of hallucinations, delusions, suicidal thoughts, or neglect of personal hygiene. The rotoscoliosis was primarily due to degenerative joint disease and radiculopathy, which did not meet the criteria for a higher rating. Hypertension was also noted but did not meet the criteria for a 60 percent rating.
- Claimed conditions
- shell fragment wound of the right hip, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), rotoscoliosis with lumbosacral strain, degenerative disc disease and spondylosis of the lumbar spine, hypertension
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 29, 2003
- Citation
- 0308097
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 0308097.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for headaches and increased ratings for left shoulder rotator cuff tear, right shoulder rotator cuff tear, hypertension, and left and right leg restless leg syndrome. The Board denied a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder.
- Granted
The Board granted an effective date of October 21, 2021, for the grant of service connection for hypertension.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include unspecified depressive disorder with social anxiety disorder and PTSD, resolving reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for asthma but denied it for hypertension.
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