The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased disability ratings and a total disability evaluation, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not meet the criteria for higher evaluations.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not show residuals of fractured vertebra with cord involvement or ankylosis of the entire spine at an unfavorable angle, which are required for higher disability ratings under specific diagnostic codes.
- Claimed conditions
- Low back disability, Prostate condition, Acquired psychiatric disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 80%
- Decision date
- July 3, 2001
- Citation
- 0117711
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 0117711.
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 service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding a causal relationship between the condition and an in-service incident of military sexual trauma (MST).
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a low back disability, residuals of a right foot injury, sinusitis, shortness of breath, allergic rhinitis, and sleep apnea as there was no evidence to support a link between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for varicose veins in the bilateral lower extremities and dismissed the appeal for an acquired psychiatric disorder due to untimely notice of disagreement. The lumbar spine disability claim was remanded for further development.
- Partly granted
The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and remanded the claims for a right knee condition, left knee condition, and low back condition.
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