The Veteran's service connection claims for pseudofolliculitis barbae, alcohol dependence, and depressive disorder with alcohol dependency are granted. The claim for PTSD is denied. An initial compensable evaluation since November 30, 2010, for bilateral hearing loss is granted. The appeal for an initial compensable evaluation since September 20, 2009, for erectile dysfunction (ED) is dismissed. A 50 percent rating from September 30, 2009, to November 29, 2010, for depressive disorder with alcohol dependency is granted. The issues of service connection for various conditions are remanded.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae and alcohol dependence were found to be related to his service, while the PTSD claim was denied due to lack of a confirmed in-service stressor. The depressive disorder with alcohol dependency received an initial compensable rating.
- Claimed conditions
- pseudofolliculitis barbae, alcohol dependence, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 50%
- Decision date
- April 2, 2019
- Citation
- 19124677
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,242 · Granted: 24% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 19124677.
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
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including bipolar disorder and PTSD. The Veteran will be asked to provide additional medical records and undergo a VA examination.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, is being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding his alleged stressors.
- 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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, migraine headaches, and PTSD due to additional development of records and examination.
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