The Veteran's flexion contracture of the left fifth digit PIP has been granted an initial compensable rating.,Service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae is granted.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as posttraumatic stress disorder) is denied.,Service connection for left shoulder strain is dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal on this issue.,Service connection for spinal fusion, left knee strain, status post arthroscopy, hearing loss, right side and hypertension are all remanded for further development.

The deciding factor: The medical evidence shows that the Veteran's flexion contracture of the left fifth digit PIP has resulted in painful motion, diminished grip strength, and objective evidence of pain with use of the hand, resulting in functional impairment. The current non-compensable rating is not adequate to reflect this disability.,There is at least an approximate balance of positive and negative evidence as to whether the Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae is related to service. While there are no medical records directly linking it to service, the Veteran's testimony supports a finding that his condition may be related to service.,The evidence persuasively stands against finding in favor of the claim in that it is not in 'approximate balance' or 'nearly equal' to the evidence that supports the claim that the Veteran has a current diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, which is related to active service. The denial is based on lack of medical evidence linking the condition to service.,In the March 2022 Board Hearing, as well as prior to the promulgation of a decision in the appeal, the Veteran withdrew his Substantive Appeal with respect to the issue of entitlement to service connection for a left shoulder disability. The issue is therefore dismissed.,The issues of service connection for spinal fusion, left knee strain, status post arthroscopy, hearing loss, right side and hypertension are remanded due to insufficient evidence or procedural errors in the current rating decisions.

Claimed conditions

flexion contracture, left fifth digit PIP, pseudofolliculitis barbae, acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as posttraumatic stress disorder), left shoulder strain, spinal fusion, left knee strain, status post arthroscopy, hearing loss, right side, hypertension

How they argued it

Direct service connection

Exposure basis

None

Rating assigned

None in this decision

Decision date

February 21, 2023

Citation

23010646

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 23010646.