Service connection for a left shoulder condition is denied.,For the entire period on appeal, the Veteran has been in receipt of the maximum rating assignable for limitation of extension (i.e., 10 percent) of the left hip. For the period from December 1, 2018 to February 13, 2019, the evidence shows the Veteran’s left and right hip flexion was limited to, at worst, 30 degrees.,For the period prior to December 1, 2018, and after February 13, 2019, the criteria for a rating higher than 10 percent for right hip degenerative arthritis, limitation of flexion have not been met. A compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied.,The Veteran's PTSD has more closely approximated occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks; symptoms causing occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, or total social and occupational impairment are not demonstrated. A rating of 30 percent for PTSD is granted.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service treatment records were silent for diagnosis of a left shoulder disability. The December 2018 private medical evaluation did not diagnose the Veteran with any disability of his left shoulder. VA medical center (VAMC) records are also silent for treatment or diagnosis of a left shoulder condition.
- Claimed conditions
- left shoulder condition, degenerative arthritis of the left hip, degenerative arthritis of the right hip, bilateral hearing loss, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 12, 2019
- Citation
- 19171109
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 19171109.
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.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for service connection of bilateral hearing loss and a ruptured right ear drum was dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.
- Denied
The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was noted upon entry into active duty service and did not increase in severity during service. Therefore, it denied his claim for service connection.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including bipolar disorder and PTSD. The Veteran will be asked to provide additional medical records and undergo a VA examination.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, is being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding his alleged stressors.
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