The Veteran's service connection claims for tinnitus, anxiety disorder, and major depressive disorder are denied. Service connection is granted for major depressive disorder and mood disorder related to PTSD. An increased rating of 70 percent for PTSD is granted, effective from March 26, 2014. A total disability rating based on individual unemployability is also granted.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's tinnitus was not found to be service-connected as it did not have its onset in or is otherwise related to his active duty service. The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of anxiety disorder, and the Board finds that major depressive disorder and mood disorder are secondary to PTSD.
- Claimed conditions
- tinnitus, anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 70%
- Decision date
- June 18, 2019
- Citation
- 19147405
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 remands the claim for service connection for tinnitus to correct a duty to assist error, as the Veteran's lay statements regarding onset and continuity of symptoms were not adequately considered in the previous decision.
- Dismissed
The claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for major depressive disorder is dismissed as moot because the earliest effective date was granted during the pendency of this appeal.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew the appeals for service connection for bilateral pes planus, obstructive sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for tinnitus, cubital tunnel syndrome, right plantar fasciitis, and a right knee disability due to the lack of evidence supporting a nexus between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.
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