The Board denied service connection for syncope but granted an initial rating of 70 percent for persistent depressive disorder, with anxious distress, with intermittent major depressive episodes, without current episode, moderate.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not support a finding of a current disability manifested by symptoms of a syncopal disorder or related central neurologic diagnosis. However, the Veteran's persistent depressive disorder was found to have manifested in symptoms suggesting occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas due to such symptoms as near-continuous panic or depression, impaired impulse control, and difficulty adapting to stressful circumstances.
- Claimed conditions
- syncope
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 70%
- Decision date
- March 13, 2025
- Citation
- A25023566
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 1,044 · Granted: 21% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted 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. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation A25023566.
What this means for you
A partial grant means some issues were granted while others were denied or remanded — common in multi-issue claims. Look at which issues went which way, and how each was argued.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for service connection on the issues of chest pain, ear condition, vaginosis, syncope, thyroid condition, and jaw condition have been dismissed due to non-jurisdictional procedural defects. The Board has also remanded the claims for service connection on the issues of occipital neuralgia, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) for further development.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for right finger amputations and denied increased ratings for a back disability and syncope, finding that the evidence does not support a conclusion that these conditions are secondary to the Veteran's service-connected syncope.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including epilepsy, prostate cancer, and lumbar DDD, necessitate the need for regular aid and attendance from his spouse. The Board has granted SMC based on this need.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's heat exhaustion, including its residuals, is related to his active service and grants service connection for this condition.
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