The Veteran's PTSD with depression, left knee degenerative joint disease, right knee degenerative joint disease, malunion fracture of the right femur, proximal right tibia osteomyelitis, residual scar of a shell fragment wound to the left side of the left leg and multiple residual scars from multiple shell fragment wounds to the shoulders, left forearm and lower extremities have been rated based on their current manifestations. The Veteran's PTSD with depression has been granted an increased rating to 50% effective prior to November 27, 2013.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations conducted in June 2011 and November 2013 supported the findings that the Veteran's PTSD with depression manifested by occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. The left knee degenerative joint disease was found to be asymptomatic, while the right knee degenerative joint disease was found to have limited range of motion due to pain and functional loss. The malunion fracture of the right femur had healed without complications. The proximal right tibia osteomyelitis was found to be asymptomatic within the past five years. The residual scar of a shell fragment wound to the left side of the left leg and multiple residual scars from multiple shell fragment wounds to the shoulders, left forearm and lower extremities were all rated as superficial with no significant functional impairment.
- Claimed conditions
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Right Knee Degenerative Joint Disease, Left Knee Degenerative Joint Disease, Malunion Fracture of the Right Femur, Proximal Right Tibia Osteomyelitis, Residual Scar of a Shell Fragment Wound to the Left Side of the Left Leg with a Retained Foreign Body, Multiple Residual Scars from Multiple Shell Fragment Wounds to the Shoulders, Left Forearm and Lower Extremities
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- August 4, 2015
- Citation
- 1533005
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 1533005.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted as the evidence shows a current diagnosis of PTSD, an in-service stressor, and a medical link between the two.
- Denied
The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50% since March 23, 2004. The Board found that a higher rating is not warranted prior to February 15, 2005 due to the severity of his symptoms and their impact on his social and occupational functioning.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and any acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current mental health conditions and his military service.
- Granted
The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 70% disability rating. The Veteran also met the criteria for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.
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