The Board granted service connection for single episode major depressive disorder with anxious distress, somatic symptom disorder, and alcohol use disorder; right ankle arthritis; and bilateral plantar fasciitis and a right foot heel spur. The claims for recurrent hip disabilities, a rating in excess of 20 percent for left knee anterior cruciate ligament and medial collateral ligament repair residuals, and TDIU were remanded.
The deciding factor: The evidence is in equipoise as to whether the diagnosed conditions originated during active service, and upon resolution of all reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor, the Board concluded that service connection was warranted for the psychiatric disability, right ankle arthritis, and bilateral foot disability. The claims for recurrent hip disabilities, a rating in excess of 20 percent for left knee anterior cruciate ligament and medial collateral ligament repair residuals, and TDIU were remanded due to pre-decisional errors.
- Claimed conditions
- Single episode major depressive disorder with anxious distress, somatic symptom disorder, and alcohol use disorder, Right ankle arthritis, Bilateral plantar fasciitis and a right foot heel spur
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 18, 2025
- Citation
- A25053575
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.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for somatic symptom disorder, respiratory disorders (including COPD), nephrolithiasis, deviated nasal septum, and higher initial disability ratings for PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder with anxious distress and GERD, hiatal hernia, reflux esophagitis, Barrett's esophagus.
- Denied
The Board denied restoration of the 30 percent ratings for left knee arthritis (flexion), left knee strain arthritis (extension), and left knee instability, as well as a 20 percent rating for left ankle chronic sprain. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were also denied.
- Partly granted
The Board granted an earlier effective date of April 20, 2021 for total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and basic eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance but denied a higher rating than 50 percent for somatic symptom disorder from June 13, 2024 to February 12, 2025.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for a supplemental medical opinion regarding the severity of the Veteran's knee and ankle disabilities without medication, as well as an opinion on the etiology of his psychiatric conditions.
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