The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is not found to be the cause of his obesity and resultant need for special home adaptations or SMC based on aid and attendance. The Board denied both claims due to insufficient evidence linking his obesity to his PTSD.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner concluded that the Veteran’s obesity was less likely than not caused by his service-connected PTSD, citing inconsistencies in medical records regarding weight gain over time and lack of a definitive causal relationship between PTSD and obesity.
- Claimed conditions
- PTSD, deafness of the left ear, fracture of the left mandible with temporomandibular joint syndrome and impairment of masticatory function, tinnitus, hypertension, dimple scar from gunshot wound of face and tendinitis of the left ankle
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 26, 2018
- Citation
- 18139130
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 18139130.
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.
- 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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to incomplete medical records and need for further examination.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, arthritis, and memory loss. The decision found no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.
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