The appeal for an increased disability rating in excess of 70 percent from June 4, 2015, to July 12, 2022, for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with persistent depressive disorder was denied.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's PTSD did not manifest in total occupational and social impairment during the relevant period.
- Claimed conditions
- Left knee meniscus tear/repair and residual osteoarthritis, Left knee residuals of semilunar cartilage removal, Lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis, spondylosis, and intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) with persistent depressive disorder, Right knee meniscus tear/repair and residual osteoarthritis, Right knee total arthroplasty
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- December 16, 2025
- Citation
- 25014959
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 1,858 · Granted: 24% (granted or partly granted, in the indexed decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 25014959.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board granted a 100 percent disability rating for PTSD with persistent depressive disorder due to the Veteran's total occupational and social impairment.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the issues of increased disability ratings for various conditions due to a failure to substantially comply with previous directives.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied an increased rating more than 50 percent disabling for PTSD with persistent depressive disorder, finding that the Veteran's symptoms did not cause the level of impairment required for a higher disability rating.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's PTSD and persistent depressive disorder are rated at 50 percent, but he is seeking a higher rating. The Board has ordered remand for further examination to clarify the severity of his disability.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.