The Board granted service connection for a back disability and a left shoulder disability, but denied increased ratings for PTSD and TMD, as well as service connections for chronic sinusitis, respiratory insufficiency, dyspnea, CFS, fibromyalgia, dermatitis, functional abdominal pain syndrome, bloating, hypogonadism, hypothyroidism, IBS, and sleep apnea.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's back disability and left shoulder disability were directly caused by in-service injuries. However, the evidence did not support increased ratings for PTSD or TMD beyond their current levels, nor did it establish service connection for chronic sinusitis, respiratory insufficiency, dyspnea, CFS, fibromyalgia, dermatitis, functional abdominal pain syndrome, bloating, hypogonadism, hypothyroidism, IBS, and sleep apnea.
- Claimed conditions
- Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) with osteoarthritis, Thoracic persistent evidence towards a gradual low-grade scoliosis with secondary endplate hypertrophic findings (claimed as DJD lumbar spine pain, thoracic spine pain), Left shoulder disability, Chronic sinusitis, Respiratory insufficiency, dyspnea, Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), Fibromyalgia, Dermatitis, Functional abdominal pain syndrome, bloating, Hypogonadism (claimed as testosterone deficiency), Hypothyroidism, Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), Sleep apnea
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 3, 2025
- Citation
- A25048880
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 Board granted service connection for chronic headaches, CFS, dermatosis, bilateral RLS, a lumbar spine disability, and sleep apnea but denied a compensable evaluation for allergic rhinitis.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for right and left shoulder disabilities, as the evidence did not support a higher rating under applicable criteria.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for PTSD, resolving reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor and finding that his PTSD is related to an in-service military sexual trauma (MST) during a period of ACDUTRA.
- Partly granted
The Board granted an effective date of May 17, 2019, for a 70 percent disability rating for PTSD but denied earlier effective dates for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.
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