The Board grants service connection for major depressive disorder with alcohol abuse disorder, as it is secondary to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.,The Board grants service connection for left shoulder rotator cuff condition, as it is related to the Veteran's military service.,The Board grants service connection for right shoulder rotator cuff condition, as it is related to the Veteran's military service.,The Board grants service connection for vertigo, as it is related to the Veteran's military service.,The Board grants service connection for left ankle arthritis, as it is related to the Veteran's military service.,The Board grants service connection for right ankle arthritis, as it is related to the Veteran's military service.,The Board denies service connection for status post right bicep tear, as it is not related to the Veteran's military service.,The Board denies service connection for a left arm disorder, diagnosed as left bicep pain, as it is not related to the Veteran's military service.
The deciding factor: The private medical opinion and VA examination support that the major depressive disorder with alcohol abuse disorder is secondary to his service-connected disabilities.,The private medical opinion supports that the left shoulder rotator cuff condition is due to his military service.,The private medical opinion supports that the right shoulder rotator cuff condition is related to his military service.,The private medical opinion supports that the vertigo is related to his military service.,The VA examination supports that the left ankle disorder is related to his military service.,The VA examination supports that the right ankle disorder is related to his military service.,The VA examination does not support a relationship between the right bicep tear and his military service.,The VA examination does not support a relationship between the left arm disorder, diagnosed as left bicep pain, and his military service.
- Claimed conditions
- major depressive disorder with alcohol abuse disorder, left shoulder disability diagnosed as shoulder impingement syndrome, rotator cuff tendonitis, and acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis, right shoulder disability, diagnosed as shoulder impingement syndrome, rotator cuff tendonitis, and acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis, vertigo, left ankle disability, diagnosed as lateral collateral ligament strain and impingement syndrome, right ankle disability, diagnosed as lateral collateral ligament strain and impingement syndrome
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 13, 2025
- Citation
- A25098590
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,316 · Granted: 43% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation A25098590.
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 has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension, fibromyalgia, and vertigo. The decision found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service or a service-connected disability.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to military noise exposure during service.,The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea, gastrointestinal (GI) disability, and vertigo are remanded for further examination and opinion.
- Granted
The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for vertigo, finding that it is related to a head injury sustained during active duty. The decision resolves all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.
- Partly granted
The claims for service connection for hypertension, back pain, right hip pain, left hip pain, right knee pain, and left knee pain have been readjudicated. The claim for sleep apnea has also been readjudicated.,Service connection has been granted for a neck condition, back pain, right hip pain, left hip pain, right knee pain, left knee pain, an acquired psychiatric disorder, bruxism, and vertigo.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.