The veteran's claims for increased initial evaluation and earlier effective dates were denied as the evidence did not support a higher rating or an earlier effective date.
The deciding factor: The veteran's PTSD was found to be less severe than 70% disabling, and the effective dates assigned by the DRO were deemed appropriate based on the evidence of record.
- Claimed conditions
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Residuals of frostbite, peripheral neuropathy and degenerative joint disease of the right foot, Residuals of frostbite, peripheral neuropathy and degenerative joint disease of the left foot, Residuals of frostbite of the right hand, Residuals of frostbite of the left hand, Residuals of frostbite of the left ear, Hypertension, Lumbar spine degenerative changes
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 70%
- Decision date
- January 28, 2009
- Citation
- 0902956
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and hypertension, to include as secondary to left orchiectomy, for further development in accordance with the PACT Act.
- Partly granted
The Board granted readjudication of previously denied claims for service connection for PTSD and COPD, while remanding other issues including entitlement to service connection for an eye disorder, hypertension, tinnitus, a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, TDIU, and an initial rating for PTSD.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for various disabilities and denied higher ratings for several service-connected conditions.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus, type II, coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, hypertension, asthma/lung disease, vision disability, bilateral plantar fasciitis, leukocytosis, kidney disease/kidney stones, enlarged prostate, sleep apnea, rheumatoid arthritis, lumbar spine disability, right ankle disability, and left ankle disability.
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