The Board granted service connection for back condition and major depressive disorder, but denied service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder. The Board also granted an initial rating of 10 percent for chronic sinusitis.
The deciding factor: The evidence was at least in relative equipoise as to whether the Veteran's back condition is related to service, and there was clear and convincing evidence that his major depressive disorder existed prior to service but was not aggravated by it. The Board found no credible evidence supporting a link between the Veteran's posttraumatic stress disorder and any specific in-service event.
- Claimed conditions
- back condition, major depressive disorder (MDD), posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), chronic sinusitis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- May 22, 2025
- Citation
- A25046368
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.
- Partly granted
The Veteran was granted a 70 percent initial disability rating for PTSD effective December 2, 2021, but the claim for an increased rating in excess of 70 percent was denied. The appeal also included claims for service connection and ratings for various conditions, some of which were granted while others were remanded.
- Granted
The Board granted an effective date of October 17, 2022, for the grant of service connection for PTSD.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for headaches and increased ratings for left shoulder rotator cuff tear, right shoulder rotator cuff tear, hypertension, and left and right leg restless leg syndrome. The Board denied a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew the appeal for an increased rating of his service-connected PTSD during a Board hearing, and the appeal is therefore dismissed.
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