The Board has granted service connection for a right shoulder rotator cuff tear and denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD). The right shoulder condition is related to the Veteran's in-service combat injury, while his psychiatric symptoms do not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD or any other psychiatric disorder.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the Veteran's right shoulder rotator cuff tear was related to an in-service incident involving an improvised explosive device (IED), and thus granted service connection. However, there is no formal diagnosis of a psychiatric disorder, preventing service connection for PTSD.
- Claimed conditions
- Right shoulder rotator cuff tear, Acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 23, 2019
- Citation
- 19131348
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.
- Denied
The Board denied an increased rating for the right shoulder rotator cuff tear, finding that the disability did not meet or more nearly approximate limitation of motion to midway between the side and shoulder level.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for his right shoulder condition and TDIU are being remanded due to the inadequacy of prior VA examinations. The case will be returned for further evaluation.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have been dismissed as the issues are moot due to the grant of service connection in a September 2019 rating decision.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD) and residuals of a traumatic brain injury, finding that there was no evidence to support these claims based on the lack of in-service stressors or injuries.
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.