The Board denied service connection for PTSD, joint pain and weakness due to undiagnosed illness, and an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for duodenitis with duodenal ulcer and abdominal pain.
The deciding factor: The preponderance of competent and probative medical evidence established that the veteran does not meet the diagnostic criteria for PTSD related to his service during the Persian Gulf War. Joint pain and weakness of the left knee and left elbow are not shown as manifestations of an undiagnosed illness, and there is no currently diagnosed left elbow disorder or a left knee disorder related to his service.
- Claimed conditions
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), Joint pain and weakness due to undiagnosed illness, Duodenitis with duodenal ulcer and abdominal pain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 15, 2008
- Citation
- 0812530
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
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for degenerative joint disease of the right hip, left hip, and left shoulder, as well as PTSD. The claim for a higher rating for the right knee scar was denied.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, due to inadequate medical opinions and a Stegall violation.
- Partly granted
The Veteran's PTSD warranted a 70 percent rating from September 1, 2021, to February 3, 2022, due to occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for insomnia, PTSD, and depression due to a need for additional development.
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