The Veteran's jaw disability is not related to service, and his PTSD with depressive disorder warrants a 30 percent initial evaluation prior to August 9, 2012, but no higher. From that date, the Veteran's condition does not warrant an evaluation in excess of 70 percent.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner found no evidence linking the Veteran's jaw disability to service and determined it was caused by a buccal crossbite unrelated to his service treatment records. For PTSD with depressive disorder, the Board found that the symptoms did not meet criteria for higher ratings due to lack of documentation of significant impairment in social or occupational functioning.
- Claimed conditions
- jaw disability, PTSD with depressive disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- December 22, 2015
- Citation
- 1553320
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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1553320.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's jaw disability, manifested by pain, is granted as service connection due to its onset during active duty and the resulting functional impairment.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied service connection for a jaw disability and granted an increased rating of 70 percent for PTSD, but found the evidence did not support either claim.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's claims for jaw, esophageal, left hip, left ankle, right ankle, voiding, and right hip disabilities have been denied as there is no current disability found at any time during or recent to the filing of the claim.,No VA examination was obtained for these conditions. The Board finds that the post-service treatment records do not provide evidence of a diagnosed condition.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with depressive disorder and tinnitus are rated at 70% and 10%, respectively, effective December 13, 2024. The Board has granted a TDIU based on these conditions.
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