The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral knee disability was denied in 2008 and later reopened. The new evidence does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim, so it is denied. However, the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral shoulder disability was reopened due to new evidence related to his Vietnam service. Service connection is granted for the bilateral shoulder disability.
The deciding factor: The new evidence did not provide a link between the current shoulder condition and military service.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral knee osteoarthritis, chronic rotor cuff tear in the right and left shoulders
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 5, 2019
- Citation
- 19115254
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 19115254.
What this means for you
A partial grant means some issues were granted while others were denied or remanded — common in multi-issue claims. Look at which issues went which way, and how each was argued.
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 claims for service connection for bilateral shoulder strain, bilateral knee osteoarthritis, and bilateral foot degenerative arthritis and heel spur to obtain additional medical opinions.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board is remanding the issue of entitlement to a total rating for compensation purposes based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) for additional action.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for bilateral knee osteoarthritis, finding that the Veteran's condition onset during his active service.
- Partly granted
The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee osteoarthritis and right knee osteoarthritis are reopened, but the left knee disorder is denied. The claim of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is remanded due to insufficient evidence.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.