The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for post-traumatic stress disorder and service connection for a low back disorder. The veteran is not entitled to an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for his PTSD, and there is insufficient evidence to establish service connection for his low back disorder.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner found that the veteran's current symptoms do not meet or more nearly approximate the criteria for a higher evaluation under the applicable rating criteria. The Board also determined that there was no competent evidence linking the low back disorder to service, including as secondary to a service-connected condition.
- Claimed conditions
- post-traumatic stress disorder, low back disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 8, 2006
- Citation
- 0603625
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.
- Dismissed
The appeal was dismissed due to the Veteran's death while it was pending.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection for a low back disorder to obtain additional medical evidence and ensure that the Veteran is afforded every possible consideration.
- Dismissed
The appeal for service connection for a low back disorder was dismissed as the RO granted service connection in a November 2023 rating decision.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a low back disorder to obtain additional evidence and an adequate medical opinion in compliance with previous remand instructions.
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