The Board granted earlier effective dates for the grant of service connection for post-exertional malaise (PEM) and orthostatic-related symptoms, but denied earlier effective dates for PTSD, left ear hearing loss, a rating in excess of 40 percent for fibromyalgia/PEM, dismissed a disability rating in excess of 100 percent for PTSD, and denied a compensable disability rating for left ear hearing loss and service connection for right ear hearing loss.

The deciding factor: The decision was based on the earliest date when the Veteran met the criteria for each condition as supported by the evidence in his claims file.

Claimed conditions

post-exertional malaise (PEM), orthostatic-related symptoms, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), left ear hearing loss, fibromyalgia/PEM, right ear hearing loss

How they argued it

Direct service connection

Exposure basis

None

Rating assigned

None in this decision

Decision date

February 26, 2025

Citation

A25017672

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