The Board granted service connection for a traumatic brain injury and emphysema, restored the rating for gastroesophageal reflux disease with irritable bowel syndrome to 30%, and denied an increased rating for an acquired psychiatric disorder.
The deciding factor: The decision was based on evidence supporting the Veteran's in-service head injuries and exposure to burn pits during his service in Southwest Asia.
- Claimed conditions
- Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Emphysema, Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Acquired Psychiatric Disorder, to include Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), and Mild Neurocognitive Disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- Burn pits / airborne hazards
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- May 6, 2025
- Citation
- A25040962
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 granted a rating of 70 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injury (TBI), as the Veteran's symptoms most nearly approximated occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include MDD, as secondary to service-connected disabilities due to a duty to assist error.
- Granted
The Veteran's effective date for the award of a 100 percent rating for PTSD with alcohol use disorder moderate and TBI was granted as of October 22, 2019.
- Denied
The Board denied earlier effective dates for the grant of service connection and increased evaluations for GERD, sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, and TBI.
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