The Board granted an initial evaluation of 70 percent for PTSD with adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depression, but denied higher ratings for the residuals of a stab wound to the stomach and service connection for gallbladder removal and overactive bladder as secondary to the stab wound. The degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine was remanded.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's psychiatric symptoms more closely approximate occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, justifying a 70 percent rating; however, there is no evidence of total occupational and social impairment as required for a higher rating. The service connection claims were denied due to insufficient evidence linking the conditions to the stab wound.
- Claimed conditions
- Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depression, Residuals of a stab wound to the stomach, Gallbladder removal, Overactive bladder, Degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 70%
- Decision date
- March 21, 2025
- Citation
- A25026528
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.
- Granted
The Board restored the Veteran's rating for overactive bladder from 0 percent to 20 percent and granted an increased rating of 40 percent.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, right and left lower extremity neurological disorders, and right and left hip disabilities as they were not shown to be caused or aggravated by the Veteran's service or a service-connected disability.
- Partly granted
The Board granted an initial evaluation of 20 percent for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine prior to December 28, 2010, and denied a rating in excess of 40 percent as of that date.
- Partly granted
The Board granted an earlier effective date of September 14, 2018, for the award of a 40 percent disability rating for service-connected degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine but denied entitlement to TDIU.
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