The Veteran's service connection claims for right and left testicle disorders, PTSD, depression, and bilateral knee disabilities are all granted. The decision also remands the Veteran's claim for a back disorder and skin disorder.
The deciding factor: Service records show that the Veteran had pre-existing testicular conditions which worsened during service, leading to current diagnoses of atrophy and hypogonadism. His PTSD is linked to his service-connected bilateral testicle disability. The Veteran also has confirmed diagnoses of depression and degenerative arthritis in both knees, with a history of injury during service.
- Claimed conditions
- Atrophy and hypogonadism of the right testicle, Atrophy and hypogonadism of the left testicle, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Depression secondary to service-connected bilateral testicle disability, Degenerative arthritis status post right total knee replacement with residual strain, Degenerative arthritis status post left total knee replacement with residual strain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- July 29, 2019
- Citation
- 19158571
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 19158571.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted as the evidence shows a current diagnosis of PTSD, an in-service stressor, and a medical link between the two.
- Denied
The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50% since March 23, 2004. The Board found that a higher rating is not warranted prior to February 15, 2005 due to the severity of his symptoms and their impact on his social and occupational functioning.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and any acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current mental health conditions and his military service.
- Granted
The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 70% disability rating. The Veteran also met the criteria for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.
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