The Board granted service connection for a back disability, left ankle disability, and right elbow disability after new evidence was submitted. The claim for a right shoulder disability was denied. Various knee and scar ratings were either granted or denied.

The deciding factor: The decision was based on the presence of new and relevant evidence that allowed for the reopening of claims for service connection for back, left ankle, and right elbow disabilities, while denying the claim for a right shoulder disability due to lack of an actual diagnosed condition. Knee instability ratings were granted as moderate.

Claimed conditions

back disability, left ankle disability, right elbow disability, right shoulder disability, bilateral hearing loss, bilateral tinnitus, acquired psychiatric disorder, to include posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), major depressive disorder, and alcohol use disorder, painful left knee scar, nonpainful left knee scar, painful right knee scar, nonpainful right knee scar, painful bone graft donor site scars, painful left wrist scars, nonpainful left wrist scars, two painful lower extremity bone graft scars, left wrist fracture with arthritis

How they argued it

Direct service connection

Exposure basis

None

Rating assigned

None in this decision

Decision date

November 6, 2025

Citation

A25096773

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