The Veteran's appeal was denied for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disability and increased ratings for various conditions, including UARS. The Board found no evidence supporting the claim for PTSD and concluded that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosed acquired psychiatric disability.
The deciding factor: The Veteran did not meet the criteria for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as determined by a VA examiner who evaluated him in September 2014. The Veteran's subjective symptoms were noted but he did not meet the diagnostic criteria for PTSD or any other mental disorder that conforms to DSM-5.
- Claimed conditions
- {"condition_name":"Acquired psychiatric disability"}, {"condition_name":"Upper airway resistance syndrome (UARS)"}, {"condition_name":"Sinus arrhythmia"}, {"condition_name":"Allergic rhinitis"}, {"condition_name":"Inguinal hernia"}, {"condition_name":"Scar, right upper extremity"}, {"condition_name":"Scars, right lower extremity"}, {"condition_name":"Migraine headaches"}, {"condition_name":"Dry eye syndrome with lattice degeneration"}
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 18, 2020
- Citation
- 20079985
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, effective from the date of the February 2025 rating decision.
- Remanded (sent back)
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- 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 service connection for myasthenia gravis based on the Veteran's exposure to hazardous substances during his military service.
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