The Board denied service connection for right shoulder arthritis, left arm arthritis (including elbow and shoulder), bilateral hip arthritis, and lumbar spine disability.,The Veteran's claims were remanded for additional development regarding a stomach condition and total disability rating based on individual unemployability.
The deciding factor: There was no evidence of right shoulder or left arm musculoskeletal disabilities during service. The Board found the April 2017 VA examiner’s opinion more probative than the February 2016 VA psychiatrist's opinion, which lacked clarity and support.,The Veteran's lay statements linking his current conditions to in-service electrocution injury were outweighed by the April 2017 VA medical examiner's opinion.
- Claimed conditions
- {"condition_name":"Right Shoulder Arthritis","diagnosis_date":null,"discharge_date":null}, {"condition_name":"Left Arm Arthritis (including elbow and shoulder)","diagnosis_date":null,"discharge_date":null}, {"condition_name":"Bilateral Hip Arthritis","diagnosis_date":null,"discharge_date":null}, {"condition_name":"Lumbar Spine Disability","diagnosis_date":null,"discharge_date":null}
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 31, 2019
- Citation
- 19107259
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
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