The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder, is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's claims for higher evaluations of his arthritis with intervertebral disc syndrome (low back pain), radiculopathy in the right lower extremity, and radiculopathy in the left lower extremity are dismissed.
The deciding factor: The Veteran provided credible testimony regarding personal assault during service, which was corroborated by VA records. The Board found that this evidence supported a diagnosis of PTSD and linked it to his service.,There is no clear and convincing evidence to contradict the Veteran's account of stressors related to in-service personal assault.
- Claimed conditions
- Acquired Psychiatric Disorder (including PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder), Arthritis with intervertebral disc syndrome, thoracolumbar spine, Radiculopathy, right lower extremity, Radiculopathy, left lower extremity
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 20, 2024
- Citation
- A24026431
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 A24026431.
What this means for you
A dismissal means the Board did not decide the issue on its merits — usually because it was withdrawn or had become moot. It says more about procedure than about whether a claim like this can win.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, and the appeal for an increased rating is denied. The Veteran's degenerative osteoarthritis and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, radiculopathy, right lower extremity, diabetic nephropathy chronic kidney disease, right great toe bunion and gout, and TDIU are all granted.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's service connected thoracolumbar spine degenerative disc disease, cervical spine degenerative disc disease, radiculopathy of the right upper and lower extremities, and radiculopathy of the left upper and lower extremities are all remanded for further development.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for an increased initial rating for a low back disability and radiculopathy, right and left lower extremities due to a need for additional evidence.
- Dismissed
The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection for SLAP tear, right upper extremity and denied service connection for radiculopathy, left lower extremity. Service connection was granted for radiculopathy, right lower extremity effective September 13, 2021.
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