The Board denied reopening the claims for herniated nucleus pulposus, lumbar spine and bone spurs of the feet. The veteran's PTSD symptoms were not found to meet criteria for a higher rating. His burns and chest wound residuals did not warrant increased ratings.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not show that the veteran's conditions have significantly worsened or present an exceptional disability picture.
- Claimed conditions
- Herniated nucleus pulposus, lumbar spine, Bone spurs of the feet, Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), Residuals of first and second degree burns of the face and neck, Residuals of first and second degree burns of the right hand, Residuals of first and second degree burns of the left hand, Residuals of a shell fragment wound of the right (major) posterolateral chest region
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 14, 2001
- Citation
- 0116278
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 0116278.
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 rendered him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment, thus granting a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).
- Granted
The veteran was granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected disabilities.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus, Type II and remanded the claims for higher ratings for sciatic neuropathy, femoral neuropathy, PTSD, TDIU, SMC, and DEA benefits.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for right knee strain, left knee strain, lumbar radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, and lumbar radiculopathy of the left lower extremity. It also granted initial ratings for various disabilities including a 20 percent rating for lumbar degenerative disc disease with intervertebral disc syndrome, spondylosis, and spondylolisthesis, a 30 percent rating for labral tear, including superior labral anterior-posterior lesion, status post surgical repair, and higher ratings for other conditions.
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