The Board granted service connection for a neck disability and PTSD, restored the 50 percent rating for unspecified trauma and stressor related disorder, and denied service connection for a low back disability. The Board also denied an increased rating for TBI residuals and an initial compensable evaluation for allergic rhinitis.

The deciding factor: The evidence was at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's cervical strain is related to service, but there was no current disability found for the low back condition. The reduction in rating from 50 percent to 0 percent for unspecified trauma and stressor related disorder was improper.

Claimed conditions

Low back disability, Neck disability, Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), Residuals of a traumatic brain injury (TBI), Allergic rhinitis

How they argued it

Direct service connection

Exposure basis

None

Rating assigned

None in this decision

Decision date

February 26, 2025

Citation

A25017466

Want to see how appeals like this one tend to go? Appeals like mine