The Veteran withdrew his claims for increased ratings for his lumbar spine disability, increased ratings for his bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, service connection for a bilateral knee disorder, service connection for a bilateral foot disorder, and service connection for a neck disorder. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder was reopened due to new and material evidence being submitted.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's major depressive disorder and PTSD are at least as likely as not related to his service in Guantanamo Bay and following Hurricane Katrina.
- Claimed conditions
- spondylosis, degenerative disc disease, herniated nucleus pulposus L4-L5 and bulging disc L5-S1 (lumbar spine disability), major depression, PTSD
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 21, 2018
- Citation
- 18103824
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 18103824.
What this means for you
A dismissal means the Board did not decide the issue on its merits — usually because it was withdrawn or had become moot. It says more about procedure than about whether a claim like this can win.
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 case for additional development regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD.
- 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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