The Veteran's claims for PTSD, lumbar radiculopathy as secondary to peripheral neuropathy, increased ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities, and total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities were all denied.
The deciding factor: The Veteran did not have combat service in Vietnam and his claimed stressors could not be verified. His PTSD was found not to be related to service. The lumbar radiculopathy was determined to be unrelated to any service-connected condition, including peripheral neuropathy. The ratings for the peripheral neuropathies were upheld as appropriate.
- Claimed conditions
- PTSD, lumbar radiculopathy, peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- June 22, 2009
- Citation
- 0923389
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 0923389.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board of Veterans' Appeals has granted service connection for PTSD and Mood Disorders, both presumed conditions under the PACT Act.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hypertension and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.
- Partly granted
The Board has not made a final determination on the claims of service connection for inguinal hernia, PTSD, joint pain, fibromyalgia, left knee disability, right knee disability, tinnitus, chronic fatigue syndrome, respiratory disability, sleep disorder, IBS, and headaches. The claims are remanded to obtain additional evidence and determine if these conditions are related to service.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD was granted with an initial evaluation of 50 percent, effective September 24, 2007. The appeal regarding the heart condition and sleep disorder is denied. The Veteran's hearing loss prior to August 24, 2015, warrants a 20 percent rating.
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