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
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- April 23, 2019
- Citation
- 19131348
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,604 · Granted: 65% (granted or partly granted, in the indexed decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 19131348.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status is denied as his service-connected disabilities did not render him so helpless that he needed regular aid and attendance. The criteria for SMC at the housebound rate have also not been met.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD; left shoulder disability; and right shoulder disability. The Veteran did not meet the current disability requirement or provide sufficient evidence to support a link between his military service and these conditions.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's right shoulder rotator cuff tear is granted as service connected, with the Board finding a causal link between his in-service injury and current symptoms.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied increased evaluations for asthma, PTSD with sleep deprivation, and right shoulder rotator cuff tear. The Veteran's appeal regarding service connection for high blood pressure and TDIU was remanded.
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