The Board granted service connection for other specified trauma and stressor-related disorder, denied service connection for PTSD, and denied an increased rating for the right shoulder strain. The claims for service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis, lumbar spine, and lower extremity disorders were remanded.

The deciding factor: Service connection was granted for other specified trauma and stressor-related disorder due to a current diagnosis and a nexus to in-service hazing. PTSD was denied as the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a DSM-5 diagnosis of PTSD. The right shoulder strain rating was denied as the evidence did not support a higher rating.

Claimed conditions

Other specified trauma and stressor-related disorder, Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), Right shoulder strain, Bilateral plantar fasciitis, Lumbar spine disorder, Radicular pain and paresthesia of the left lower extremity as secondary to a lumbar spine disorder, Radicular pain and paresthesia of right lower extremity as secondary to a lumbar spine disorder

How they argued it

Direct service connection

Exposure basis

None

Rating assigned

20%

Decision date

March 6, 2025

Citation

A25020637

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