The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for various disabilities, including headaches, bowel problems, nerve damage to the right hand and arm, chronic pain syndrome of the left upper extremity, and special monthly compensation based on loss of use of the left upper extremity.
The deciding factor: The December 1991 surgery did not result in additional disability manifested by a headache disorder, bowel problems, or nerve damage to the right hand and arm. The veteran's non-dominant left upper extremity was non-functional prior to the surgery, with symptoms including pain, diffuse atrophy, ulnar clawing of the hand, absent strength in the arm, minimal strength and motion in the wrist and fingers, and decreased sensation.
- Claimed conditions
- PTSD, headaches, bowel problems, nerve damage to the right hand and arm, chronic pain syndrome of the left upper extremity
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 17, 2009
- Citation
- 0905712
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to ensure a proper examination and etiology opinion are provided.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for PTSD, generalized anxiety disorder, and somatic symptom disorder, as well as presumptive service connection for basal cell carcinoma under the PACT Act. Service connection was denied for chronic fatigue syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome, right restless leg syndrome, left restless leg syndrome, an increased rating for psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, a left forehead surgical scar, and allergic rhinitis.
- 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.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, as the Veteran did not have a diagnosis of PTSD or any other psychiatric disorder during the appeal period.
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