The Veteran's initial evaluations for his shoulder and gastrointestinal conditions have been granted, with specific ratings assigned. The issue of an esophageal stricture evaluation prior to July 9, 2013 has been remanded.
The deciding factor: The evidence supported the grant of increased evaluations based on the severity of the Veteran’s diagnosed conditions.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD) of the left shoulder with a labrum tear and cyst, Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD) of the right shoulder with a SLAP tear and paralabrum cyst, Dermatitis, Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) with hiatal hernia
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- November 20, 2018
- Citation
- 18151904
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 18151904.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's PTSD is granted an initial 70 percent evaluation, effective September 23, 2024. The Veteran's dermatitis remains at a 10 percent evaluation.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to a duty to assist error, and will consider evidence submitted after the October 2024 Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC). The Veteran's GERD is presumed to have existed prior to service, but there is no clear and unmistakable evidence that it was not aggravated by service. The Board has requested an examination to determine if the Veteran's GERD had its onset during or is otherwise etiologically related to active-duty service.
- Granted
The Veteran's PTSD was granted an initial evaluation of 50 percent, dermatitis as of December 4, 2024 was granted a 10 percent evaluation, and kidney stones were denied. Service connection for allergic rhinitis and bilateral lower extremity neuropathy were also denied.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal for initial compensable rating for allergic rhinitis from August 12, 2020, to December 18, 2020 is denied. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for dermatitis and obstructive sleep apnea due to toxic exposure risk activities during service.
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