The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, hypertension, and congestive heart failure are all granted as service-connected. The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability is related to his military service, while his hypertension is secondary to his service-connected psychiatric disability. However, there was insufficient evidence to establish a direct link between the Veteran's congestive heart failure and his military service.
The deciding factor: The Board determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD) is directly linked to his military service based on credible lay statements and medical opinions. The hypertension is found to be secondary to his service-connected psychiatric disability, as supported by VA treatment records and a private opinion. For congestive heart failure, there was insufficient evidence to establish a direct link with the Veteran's military service.
- Claimed conditions
- Acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD and other stress-related disorder), Hypertension, Congestive heart failure
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 12, 2019
- Citation
- A19003483
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 A19003483.
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
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Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
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- Partly granted
The Board granted readjudication of previously denied claims for service connection for PTSD and COPD, while remanding other issues including entitlement to service connection for an eye disorder, hypertension, tinnitus, a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, TDIU, and an initial rating for PTSD.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for various disabilities and denied higher ratings for several service-connected conditions.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus, type II, coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, hypertension, asthma/lung disease, vision disability, bilateral plantar fasciitis, leukocytosis, kidney disease/kidney stones, enlarged prostate, sleep apnea, rheumatoid arthritis, lumbar spine disability, right ankle disability, and left ankle disability.
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