The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD due to MST and bipolar disorder is granted. Claims for gangrene of the left foot, gangrene of the left knee, gangrene of the right foot, and gangrene of the right knee are denied. The claim for a rating in excess of 50 percent for bilateral hearing loss is also denied.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's PTSD was found to be due to MST with bipolar disorder, which were granted service connection based on credible supporting evidence that the claimed stressor occurred during service and provided by VA treatment records. The claims for gangrene of the left foot, knee, right foot, and right knee were denied as there is no current diagnosis or in-service occurrence.
- Claimed conditions
- PTSD, bipolar disorder, gangrene of the left foot, gangrene of the left knee, gangrene of the right foot, gangrene of the right knee
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 17, 2023
- Citation
- A23020652
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 A23020652.
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 Board of Veterans' Appeals has granted service connection for PTSD and Mood Disorders, both presumed conditions under the PACT Act.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including bipolar disorder and PTSD. The Veteran will be asked to provide additional medical records and undergo a VA examination.
- Partly granted
The Board has not made a final determination on the claims of service connection for inguinal hernia, PTSD, joint pain, fibromyalgia, left knee disability, right knee disability, tinnitus, chronic fatigue syndrome, respiratory disability, sleep disorder, IBS, and headaches. The claims are remanded to obtain additional evidence and determine if these conditions are related to service.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD was granted with an initial evaluation of 50 percent, effective September 24, 2007. The appeal regarding the heart condition and sleep disorder is denied. The Veteran's hearing loss prior to August 24, 2015, warrants a 20 percent rating.
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