The Board denied increased ratings for both the back injury and adjustment disorder, finding that neither condition warranted a higher rating under current criteria.
The deciding factor: Neither the psychiatric disability nor the service-connected low back disability presented evidence of more severe impairment warranting an evaluation in excess of 20 percent.
- Claimed conditions
- Back injury with mild degenerative disc disease at L4-L5, Adjustment disorder with depressed mood
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- June 2, 2000
- Citation
- 0014618
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 0014618.
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.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there was no evidence linking his current mental health conditions to his military service.
- Granted
The Veteran's initial ratings for major depressive disorder and adjustment disorder with depressed mood have been granted at a 50 percent rating, effective September 3, 2024. The Board has now determined that the criteria for an initial 70 percent rating are met from this date.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and adjustment disorder with depressed mood, was denied as there is no verified stressor or corroborated in-service events to support the claimed conditions.
- Granted
The Board found that the appellant's misconduct was mitigated by his combat-related experiences and mental health symptoms, leading to a decision granting VA benefits despite his bad conduct discharge.
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