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Court Wins

CCK Secures Disability Benefits for Navy Veteran After Multiple Denials

Michael Lostritto

March 11, 2022

Updated: November 20, 2023

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Case Summary

The Veteran served in the Navy as a Radioman from 1976 to 1979.  In 2009, the Veteran filed their first claim for service connection for right finger fracture residuals, depression, a spine condition, and a lung condition related to asbestos exposure.  Later in the year, the residuals of the finger fracture were granted a 10 percent rating, but all the other conditions were denied.

The Veteran filed a Notice of Disagreement in early 2010 and was continuing to seek service connection for depression, a back condition, the lung condition, and TDIU, as well as an increased rating for the finger fracture residuals.  VA denied the claim in August with a Statement of the Case.

In September 2010, the Veteran filed a VA9 appeal, seeking service connection for depression and an increased rating for the finger fracture residuals.  Later in 2011, the Veteran filed a claim for service connection for PTSD.  The claim for PTSD was denied, so the Veteran filed another Notice of Disagreement.

A 2012 Statement of the Case denied service connection for PTSD once again.  The Veteran filed a VA9 appeal for their PTSD by the end of 2012.  In March 2013, a Supplemental Statement of the Case denied service connection for all pending claims (PTSD, depression, and back) as well as the claim for increased rating for the finger fracture residuals.

In 2014, a Board of Veterans’ Affairs (BVA) decision finally sided in the Veteran’s favor, granting the increased rating for the finger fracture residuals at 30 percent.  The other conditions were all remanded back to the Regional Office.

In January 2018, a Supplemental Statement of the Case denied TDIU and service connection for a psych condition, which is how both PTSD and depression are categorized.  CCK then took the case in March 2018.

CCK Fights for the Veteran’s Benefits

In August 2019, the Board of Veterans’ Appeals remanded the claim for the issues of TDIU and another increased rating for the fractured finger residuals.  This meant the claims went back to the Regional Office for a Rating Decision to be issued.  A Statement of the Case issued another denial in late 2019 and CCK worked hard to submit a VA9 appeal.

Finally, in March 2020, a Rating Decision granted Special Monthly Compensation for loss of use of the hand and an increased rating for the right hand to 70 percent effective October 2019.  The decision also established entitlement to automotive adaptive equipment.

In April 2020, the Regional Office granted entitlement to Dependents Educational Assistance benefits, service connection for Major Depressive Disorder at 100 percent effective July 2009.  The Veteran was also granted Special Monthly Compensation for being housebound, effective October 2019.

About the Author

Bio photo of Michael Lostritto

Michael joined CCK in September of 2016 as an Attorney, was named Supervising Attorney in 2021, and now serves as a Managing Attorney. His practice focuses on the representation of disabled veterans before the Department of Veterans Affairs and the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims.

See more about Michael