The veteran's claim for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbosacral strain and post-traumatic stress disorder with anxiety and depression was denied. His total rating based on unemployability due to service-connected disability is dismissed as moot.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes, including those for lumbosacral strain and post-traumatic stress disorder.
- Claimed conditions
- Lumbosacral Strain, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder with Anxiety and Depression
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 50%
- Decision date
- May 14, 2002
- Citation
- 0204470
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 0204470.
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.
- Partly granted
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, except for a 20 percent rating for lumbosacral strain.
- Partly granted
The Board granted an increased evaluation of 70 percent for the service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), but remanded other issues for further development.
- Denied
The Board denied increased ratings for posttraumatic stress disorder with substance abuse and a rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbosacral strain.
- Partly granted
The Board denied service connection for sinusitis and a right hip disorder but granted a rating of 40 percent for lumbosacral strain effective from February 7, 2024.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.