The Board denied an effective date prior to February 10, 2021, for the grant of service connection for PTSD with alcohol and cannabis use disorders, as well as increased ratings for various disabilities.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's psychiatric disorder did not result in total occupational and social impairment during the relevant periods, and the evidence did not support a higher rating under the applicable criteria.
- Claimed conditions
- Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with alcohol and cannabis use disorders, Lumbar strain, Right lower extremity radiculopathy, Left lower extremity radiculopathy, Status post right wrist injury with non-union of scaphoid bone, Left ankle sprain with residual of chronic ankle laxity
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 17, 2025
- Citation
- A25053035
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.
- Partly granted
The Veteran was granted an effective date of July 31, 2012, for TDIU and October 22, 2012, for service connection of left and right lower extremity radiculopathy.
- Denied
The appeal for higher ratings and effective dates for various conditions was denied, with the exception of left and right lower extremity radiculopathy which were granted an earlier effective date.
- Denied
The Board denied increased ratings for various disabilities and granted earlier effective dates for service connection of scars, but denied an earlier effective date for individual unemployability.
- Partly granted
The Veteran's cervical spine disability is granted a 30 percent rating, while the lumbar and lower extremity radiculopathy claims are denied. An earlier effective date for right lower extremity radiculopathy was granted, and TDIU based on single service-connected disability is remanded.
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