The petition to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD is granted.,The petition to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for depression is granted.,The petition to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for degenerative joint disease, cervical spine is granted.,The petition to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for intervertebral disc syndrome, lumbar spine is granted.,The petition to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for hypertension is denied.,The petition to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder (which includes PTSD and depression) is granted.
The deciding factor: New evidence has been submitted that relates to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claims, raising a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims.,New evidence has been submitted that relates to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim, raising a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.,New evidence has been submitted that relates to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim, raising a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.,New evidence has been submitted that relates to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim, raising a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.,The Veteran's persistent depressive disorder is related to active service and any additional claimed acquired psychiatric disorder encompasses the same symptomatology as his now service-connected persistent depressive disorder.,As any additional claimed acquired psychiatric disorder encompasses the same symptomatology and cannot be separated from the Veteran's service-connected persistent depressive disorder, the claim for service connection for PTSD is moot.
- Claimed conditions
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Depression, Degenerative Joint Disease of Cervical Spine, Intervertebral Disc Syndrome of Lumbar Spine, Hypertension, Acquired Psychiatric Disorder
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- July 20, 2023
- Citation
- 23039987
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 23039987.
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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