The Board denied increased ratings for PTSD and status post bilateral gynecomastectomies with residual scars, as well as service connection for obstructive sleep apnea secondary to PTSD. The claims for service connection of right and left knee conditions were remanded.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating or service connection due to the lack of evidence supporting a cause-and-effect relationship between his service-connected PTSD and OSA, as well as the severity of his symptoms not meeting the required thresholds for increased ratings.
- Claimed conditions
- PTSD, Status post bilateral gynecomastectomies with residual scars, Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), Right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome and tendonitis/tendinosis, Left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome and tendonitis/tendinosis
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 21, 2025
- Citation
- A25045584
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.
- 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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