The Veteran's anxiety and depressive disorders have been rated based on their severity, with a current evaluation of 50 percent.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disability has not met the criteria for an increased rating beyond 20 percent.
The deciding factor: Both conditions did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable diagnostic codes.
- Claimed conditions
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Major Depressive Disorder, Degenerative Disc and Joint Disease of the Lumbar Spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- June 6, 2012
- Citation
- 1219856
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1219856.
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).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected degenerative disc and joint disease of the lumbar spine was denied as there is no evidence of favorable or unfavorable ankylosis, limited range of motion, or incapacitating episodes. The current 20% evaluation adequately reflects the severity of the disability.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's PTSD, lumbar spine disability, and nerve damage to the right leg are all rated based on their direct service connection. The initial ratings for PTSD (70%) and lumbar spine disability (20%) have been granted.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations have been granted. Effective dates are assigned based on the date of receipt of his claims.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and assigned a 20 percent rating for degenerative disc and joint disease of the lumbar spine. The other claims are pending further development.
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