The Board denied an increased rating for PTSD with alcohol use disorder and discectomy with lumbar discogenic pain but granted a 20% initial rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy from April 18, 2023 through January 16, 2024. The service connection was denied for bilateral hearing loss but granted for left knee Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD).
The deciding factor: The Veteran's symptoms of PTSD with alcohol use disorder and discectomy with lumbar discogenic pain did not meet the criteria for a higher rating, while his left lower extremity radiculopathy met the criteria for a 20% initial rating. The service connection was granted based on continuity of symptomatology.
- Claimed conditions
- PTSD with alcohol use disorder, Bilateral hearing loss, Left knee Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 31, 2025
- Citation
- A25111300
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