The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates, finding that his symptoms did not meet the criteria for higher ratings.
The deciding factor: The severity, frequency, and duration of the Veteran's PTSD symptoms prior to February 6, 2020, did not more closely approximate total occupational and social impairment; thereafter, they did not more closely approximate total occupational and social impairment. The right ankle, shoulder, sleep apnea, and other conditions were also found not to warrant higher ratings based on the severity of their symptoms.
- Claimed conditions
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) with anxiety, Right ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain with osteoarthritis, Right shoulder subluxation, Obstructive sleep apnea, Right ankle disability, Right knee limitation of extension, Right knee instability, Right knee limitation of flexion, Low back disability, Right lower extremity radiculopathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 24, 2025
- Citation
- A25054313
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 Board granted a separate 10 percent rating for right knee instability but denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative arthritis of the right knee.
- 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 service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a low back disability, residuals of a right foot injury, sinusitis, shortness of breath, allergic rhinitis, and sleep apnea as there was no evidence to support a link between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.
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