The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, and denied ratings in excess of 10 percent for palmer/plantar hyperkeratosis, a right knee disability, and status post left total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The claim for Pseudofolliculitis Barbae was granted, while the claims for service connection for a bilateral foot condition and compensable ratings for surgical scars were also denied.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not support a diagnosis of PTSD or other mental health disorder, and there was no credible supporting evidence that the claimed in-service stressor actually occurred. The Veteran's PFB was first diagnosed in service and is related to his service. There was no evidence showing that the Veteran had a bilateral foot disability.
- Claimed conditions
- PTSD, Pseudofolliculitis Barbae (PFB), Bilateral foot condition, Palmer/Plantar hyperkeratosis, Right knee disability, Left total knee arthroplasty (TKA)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 12, 2025
- Citation
- A25022849
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to ensure a proper examination and etiology opinion are provided.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for PTSD, generalized anxiety disorder, and somatic symptom disorder, as well as presumptive service connection for basal cell carcinoma under the PACT Act. Service connection was denied for chronic fatigue syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome, right restless leg syndrome, left restless leg syndrome, an increased rating for psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, a left forehead surgical scar, and allergic rhinitis.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for chronic headaches, CFS, dermatosis, bilateral RLS, a lumbar spine disability, and sleep apnea but denied a compensable evaluation for allergic rhinitis.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, as the Veteran did not have a diagnosis of PTSD or any other psychiatric disorder during the appeal period.
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