The Veteran's claims for PTSD, depressive disorder, and bilateral hearing loss have been granted. The appeal for an earlier effective date for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been withdrawn by the Veteran. Service connection is also granted for hepatitis C and liver disability, respiratory disability (including sleep apnea), diabetes mellitus, pancreas disability, heart disability, and gastrointestinal disability. However, further evidence is needed to determine if these conditions are related to active service.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the Veteran's reported inservice experiences, including witnessing a fellow serviceman being crushed between two tanks, supported his claims for PTSD and depressive disorder. The VA psychologists diagnosed him with PTSD and recurrent major depressive disorder. Service connection was granted based on this evidence.
- Claimed conditions
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Depressive Disorder, Hepatitis C, Liver Disability, Respiratory Disability (including Sleep Apnea), Diabetes Mellitus, Pancreas Disability, Heart Disability, Gastrointestinal Disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 31, 2019
- Citation
- 19182376
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 a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD due to an inadequate medical opinion.
- Granted
The Board granted an effective date of February 21, 2007, for the award of service connection for PTSD and major depressive disorder with anxious distress.
- Granted
The Board granted a rating of 70 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injury (TBI), as the Veteran's symptoms most nearly approximated occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.
- Granted
The Board granted a disability rating of 70 percent for PTSD and a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.
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