The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, anxiety, depression, sleep disturbances, tinnitus, diverticulitis, ulcerative colitis, Hepatitis C, a thoracolumbar spine disability, and a left knee disability, as the evidence did not support a finding of a current diagnosis or a link to service.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the Veteran's reported stressors did not meet Criterion A for PTSD under DSM-5, and he did not have a current diagnosis of any of the claimed conditions during the appeal period. The examiner opined that his unspecified personality disorder was less likely than not incurred in or caused by service.
- Claimed conditions
- PTSD, anxiety, depression, sleep disturbances, tinnitus, diverticulitis, ulcerative colitis, Hepatitis C, thoracolumbar spine disability (including degenerative arthritis and kyphoscoliosis, thoracic spine), left knee disability (strain)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 28, 2025
- Citation
- A25038603
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.
- 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.
- 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).
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