The Board denied claims for service connection for PTSD, an increased rating for lumbosacral strain, TDIU, and SMC based on housebound status.
The deciding factor: The claim for PTSD was not well-grounded due to unverified in-service stressors. The criteria for a higher rating for lumbosacral strain were not met as there is no evidence of severe limitation of motion or intervertebral disc syndrome. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, nor are they sufficient to qualify for SMC based on housebound status.
- Claimed conditions
- posttraumatic stress disorder
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- December 28, 2009
- Citation
- 0948686
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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 0948686.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
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- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for diabetes type II as secondary to a service-connected disability and an initial 70 percent rating for posttraumatic stress disorder, subject to the regulations governing the award of monetary benefits.
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