The Board denied service connection for PTSD and denied increased ratings for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, GERD, and a right hand scar. The claims for increased rating for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and service connection for lower extremity radiculopathy were remanded.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not support a current diagnosis of PTSD or any other psychiatric disability during the appeal period, and the Veteran's cervical spine, GERD, and right hand scar disabilities did not meet the criteria for higher ratings.
- Claimed conditions
- Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), Degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), Right hand scar, Left lower extremity radiculopathy involving the sciatic nerve, Right lower extremity radiculopathy involving the sciatic nerve
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 4, 2024
- Citation
- A24071588
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 PTSD, resolving reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor and finding that his PTSD is related to an in-service military sexual trauma (MST) during a period of ACDUTRA.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the matters for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and conducting VA examinations.
- Partly granted
The Board granted an effective date of May 17, 2019, for a 70 percent disability rating for PTSD but denied earlier effective dates for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.
- Partly granted
The Board granted readjudication of previously denied claims for service connection for PTSD and COPD, while remanding other issues including entitlement to service connection for an eye disorder, hypertension, tinnitus, a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, TDIU, and an initial rating for PTSD.
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