The Board granted a 70 percent rating for PTSD and a 50 percent rating for left knee osteoarthritis, while denying increased ratings for left knee instability and left lower extremity radiculopathy.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's symptoms of PTSD more closely approximate occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas due to symptoms such as impaired impulse control; difficulty adapting to stressful circumstances, including work or a work-like setting; obsessional rituals which interfere with routine activities; social isolation; inability to establish and maintain effective relationships; and not minding if certain people died. The left knee osteoarthritis symptoms more closely approximate extension limited to 45 degrees.
- Claimed conditions
- PTSD, Left knee osteoarthritis with patella alta (left knee osteoarthritis), Left knee subluxation and instability (left knee instability), Left lower extremity lumbar radiculopathy (radiculopathy)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 70%
- Decision date
- April 10, 2025
- Citation
- A25033632
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for multiple conditions, including an acquired psychiatric disorder, sleep apnea, hypertension, and various musculoskeletal and skin disabilities.
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