The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include depression; lumbosacral strain with intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS); a left lower extremity nerve disability; and a right lower extremity nerve disability. The claims were remanded for further development regarding hypertension and bilateral hearing loss.
The deciding factor: The evidence of record did not support the Veteran's claims, as there was no current diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric disorder during the period on appeal, and the lumbosacral strain with IVDS was not shown to be related to service or a service-connected disability. The other claims were denied for lack of evidence supporting their connection to service.
- Claimed conditions
- depression, lumbosacral strain with intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), left lower extremity nerve disability (claimed as left pain and numbness), right lower extremity nerve disability (claimed as right pain and numbness), hypertension, bilateral hearing loss
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 14, 2025
- Citation
- A25034222
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.
- Granted
The Board granted an effective date of October 21, 2021, for the grant of service connection for hypertension.
- 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.
- Dismissed
The appeal for a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss, service connection for right ear hearing loss, and bilateral vision condition was dismissed. Service connection for hypertension, congestive heart failure, and coronary artery disease was denied.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including prostate cancer and related disabilities, urinary incontinence, sleep apnea, hypertension, varicose veins, lumbar spine disability, hip arthritis, shoulder arthritis, ankle arthritis, knee strain, knee replacement, and hand arthritis. The only condition granted was a 10 percent rating for a fracture of the right proximal first metacarpal.
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