The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, a neck disability, and an initial rating for anxiety disorder in excess of 30%. The Board found that there was no diagnosis of PTSD meeting DSM-IV criteria. For the neck disability, the Board concluded that there was insufficient evidence to establish a nexus between the current condition and service or the service-connected right upper arm disability. For the anxiety disorder, the Board noted that the Veteran's claim for an increased rating did not meet the criteria.
The deciding factor: The claims were denied as there was no diagnosis of PTSD meeting DSM-IV criteria, insufficient evidence to establish a nexus between the current neck condition and service or the service-connected right upper arm disability, and the Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 30% for anxiety disorder did not meet the criteria.
- Claimed conditions
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Neck Disability, Anxiety Disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 20, 2009
- Citation
- 0944427
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 0944427.
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.
- Denied
The Veteran's initial ratings for anxiety disorder and TBI were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.
- 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 Board has granted service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea, Neck Disability, and Bilateral Upper Extremity Radiculopathy. The decision is based on the Veteran's active service and medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.
- Denied
The Board denied eligibility to attorney fees based on past-due benefits awarded in a March 2024 rating decision because the March 2024 rating decision was an initial decision granting service connection for anxiety disorder.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
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.