The Board granted service connection for a right ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain and increased the disability rating for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) to 70 percent. The claims for major depression, anxiety condition, and other increased ratings were denied.
The deciding factor: The decision was based on the evidence showing that the Veteran's right ankle strain had an in-service onset and the severity of his PTSD symptoms supporting a 70 percent rating.
- Claimed conditions
- right ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain, major depression, anxiety condition, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), left elbow lateral epicondylitis with painful flexion, left elbow lateral epicondylitis with painful extension, left elbow lateral epicondylitis with painful pronation and supination, left foot strain, left wrist strain, neck scar (from January 10, 2023 to January 30, 2024), right shoulder scars, tinnitus, neuropathy of the facial nerve (restored rating from noncompensable to 20%)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 31, 2025
- Citation
- A25029407
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.
- Partly granted
The Veteran was granted a 70 percent initial disability rating for PTSD effective December 2, 2021, but the claim for an increased rating in excess of 70 percent was denied. The appeal also included claims for service connection and ratings for various conditions, some of which were granted while others were remanded.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection for tinnitus to correct a duty to assist error, as the Veteran's lay statements regarding onset and continuity of symptoms were not adequately considered in the previous decision.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew the appeals for service connection for bilateral pes planus, obstructive sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for tinnitus, cubital tunnel syndrome, right plantar fasciitis, and a right knee disability due to the lack of evidence supporting a nexus between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.
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