The Board found that the November 2022 rating decision granting service connection for PTSD, left knee strain, hearing loss and migraines was clearly and unmistakably erroneous due to the appellant's status as a deserter with the U.S. Army.
The deciding factor: The evidence established that the appellant remains on active-duty deserter status and has not been discharged from service, thus failing to meet the threshold requirement of Veteran status for VA benefits.
- Claimed conditions
- Not specified in this decision
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 3, 2025
- Citation
- A25048742
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
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.