The veteran's claim for increased rating of low back strain is denied, and his claim for service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is not well-grounded due to lack of corroborated stressors. The current disability picture does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation under Diagnostic Code 5292.
The deciding factor: The veteran's PTSD claim lacks credible supporting evidence, as his claimed stressors are not corroborated by service records or other sources. His low back strain is currently rated at 10 percent and does not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on additional functional loss due to pain.
- Claimed conditions
- low back strain, post-traumatic stress disorder
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 10, 2000
- Citation
- 0003491
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 0003491.
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.
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The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to follow and secure substantially gainful employment, thus a total disability rating for individual unemployability is granted.
- Dismissed
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- Partly granted
The Board denied service connection for multiple conditions, but granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for coccyx chronic pain/residuals of fracture, low back strain, and bilateral hearing loss as the probative evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in or due to active service.
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