Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD and depression is granted. A rating in excess of 20 percent for a low back disability is denied. The claim for hypertension is remanded. The claim for erectile dysfunction is remanded. The claim for right lower extremity radiculopathy is also remanded.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's PTSD and depression were found to be related to an in-service stressor, leading to service connection being granted. However, the evidence did not support a higher rating for his low back disability due to lack of functional limitation or ankylosis. The claims for hypertension and erectile dysfunction are remanded as medical opinions are needed.
- Claimed conditions
- {"condition_name":"Acquired Psychiatric Disability, to include PTSD and depression"}, {"condition_name":"Low Back Disability"}
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- January 22, 2019
- Citation
- 19105018
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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