The Veteran's claims for PTSD, degenerative joint disease of the thoracolumbar spine without radiculopathy, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have been granted. The claim for a low back disability is being remanded.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (to include a depressive disorder and/or PTSD) and respiratory disorder (to include COPD and/or emphysema) claims are also being remanded.
The deciding factor: The evidence received since the last final denial supports reopening of the Veteran's service connection claims for PTSD, degenerative joint disease of the thoracolumbar spine without radiculopathy, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The low back disability, acquired psychiatric disorder, and respiratory disorder claims are being remanded as there is insufficient medical evidence to determine their relationship to service.
- Claimed conditions
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Degenerative Joint Disease of the Thoracolumbar Spine without Radiculopathy, Bilateral Hearing Loss, Tinnitus, Acquired Psychiatric Disorder (to include a depressive disorder and/or PTSD), Low Back Disability, Respiratory Disorder (to include COPD and/or Emphysema)
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 22, 2022
- Citation
- 22053753
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 22053753.
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.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.
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