The veteran has been granted service connection for PTSD and chronic low back strain and spinal stenosis with L3-4 disc protrusion. The Board found that the veteran's PTSD is related to an in-service shooting incident, which supports a diagnosis of PTSD. For his low back disability, the Board determined that he should receive separate ratings based on different periods of time due to disagreement with initial rating decisions. The veteran's low back condition was rated as 40 percent disabling prior to May 31, 1996 and more than 60 percent disabling from that date onwards.
The deciding factor: The Board found the evidence in equipoise for service connection of PTSD due to credible supporting evidence of an in-service stressor. For his low back disability, the Board noted disagreement with initial rating decisions and granted separate ratings based on different periods of time as set forth in Fenderson v. West (1999).
- Claimed conditions
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Chronic Low Back Strain and Spinal Stenosis with L3-4 Disc Protrusion
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 19, 2001
- Citation
- 0111487
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 0111487.
What this means for you
A partial grant means some issues were granted while others were denied or remanded — common in multi-issue claims. Look at which issues went which way, and how each was argued.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to December 27, 2019 for the grant of service connection for PTSD was denied as there is no earlier claim document in the claims file and the Veteran did not timely perfect an appeal.
- Granted
The Veteran's PTSD is granted as a result of military sexual trauma (MST) that occurred during service. The Board found the Veteran's testimony and supporting evidence credible, including her VA and private treatment records.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for TDIU is granted with an effective date of August 17, 2022. The decision also denies the Veteran's request for Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) due to lack of need for aid and attendance or being housebound.
- Granted
The Board has granted eligibility to attorney fees based on past-due benefits awarded in the October 2024 rating decision for an increased PTSD rating and denied TDIU.
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