The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied. The rating for left shoulder bursitis and bicep tendonitis status post-surgery, lumbosacral strain prior to April 4, 2019, and radiculopathy of the lower extremities were all denied or had their effective dates changed.
The deciding factor: The Veteran did not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD. The Board found that his symptoms were better explained by bipolar disorder with major depression, alcohol and stimulant use disorders.
- Claimed conditions
- {"condition_name":"Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)"}, {"condition_name":"Left Shoulder Bursitis and Bicep Tendonitis"}, {"condition_name":"Lumbosacral Strain"}
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 7, 2020
- Citation
- 20001116
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
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This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.