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.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, primarily migraines with tension headaches, rendered him unemployable from July 25, 2023, and he is eligible for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits starting the same date. He also qualifies for special monthly compensation based on housebound status as of October 9, 2023.
- Partly granted
The Veteran's service-connected adjustment disorder with depressed mood was granted a 50 percent rating, while other claims for increased ratings were denied. Service connection for tinnitus was also granted.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the issue of entitlement to service connection for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD and adjustment disorder with depressed mood, due to an inadequate VA examination.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and left ankle degenerative joint disease due to insufficient evidence regarding in-service stressors and medical nexus.
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