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
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,374 · Granted: 19% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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.
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- Denied
The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension and increased rating for anxiety disorder have been denied. The Board found that there is no evidence of a current disability meeting the criteria for hypertension, and the Veteran's anxiety disorder does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.
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