The veteran's PTSD and residuals of a left ankle fracture are rated at the maximum available. The chronic neck strain is granted with a 10 percent rating, but no increase in evaluation is granted. Service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is not addressed.
The deciding factor: PTSD and left ankle fracture evaluations have reached their maximum schedular ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.
- Claimed conditions
- degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, chronic neck strain, status post fracture of the right clavicle, post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), residuals of a left ankle fracture
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 18, 2000
- Citation
- 0032929
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 0032929.
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 Board granted a rating of 20 percent for the Veteran's residuals of a left ankle fracture, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for a neck disorder, hair loss, PTSD, bilateral foot disorder, bilateral arm numbness, and restless body syndrome due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support a conclusion that his service-connected conditions prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea, as there is no current disability. The issues of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine are remanded due to inadequate examination reports.
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