The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss was withdrawn by the appellant.,The claim of service connection for right knee condition has been denied due to lack of new and material evidence since the January 2007 rating decision.,The reduction from 20 percent to 10 percent for residuals of right acromioclavicular separation with degenerative joint disease, major was improper as there was no actual improvement in the Veteran's condition.,The claim for a compensable rating for alopecia areata has been denied.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD) is remanded.

The deciding factor: The appellant withdrew their appeal on the issue of a higher initial rating for bilateral hearing loss during the December 2018 Board hearing.,The evidence submitted since the January 2007 rating decision did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim of service connection for right knee condition.,There was no actual improvement in the Veteran's residuals of right acromioclavicular separation with degenerative joint disease, major that would justify reducing the rating from 20 percent to 10 percent.,The evidence did not show loss of hair beyond the scalp as required for a compensable rating for alopecia areata.,Service connection for PTSD is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

Claimed conditions

bilateral hearing loss, right knee condition, acromioclavicular separation with degenerative joint disease, major, alopecia areata, acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD)

How they argued it

Reopened with new and material evidence

Exposure basis

None

Rating assigned

None in this decision

Decision date

July 8, 2019

Citation

19152638

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 19152638.