The Veteran's claim for service connection of degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine was denied in 2004 and not reopened. The Veteran's PTSD with depression has been rated at 30% since November 12, 2007, and increased to 50% as of December 6, 2011.,The Veteran's PTSD symptoms include anxiety, daily panic attacks, nightmares, auditory and visual hallucinations, flashbacks, social isolation, suicidal ideation, and attempted violence.
The deciding factor: PTSD with depression has resulted in occupational and social impairment due to symptoms such as suicidal ideation, near-continuous panic or depression affecting the ability to function independently, obsessional rituals, difficulty understanding complex commands, impaired impulse control, and neglect of personal appearance and hygiene.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with depression
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 50%
- Decision date
- July 8, 2013
- Citation
- 1321706
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 1321706.
What this means for you
A partial grant means some issues were granted while others were denied or remanded — common in multi-issue claims. Look at which issues went which way, and how each was argued.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for his lumbar spine and right hip disabilities due to a duty to assist error. The effective date for DEA benefits is granted as May 1, 2014.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date and higher initial rating for his back disability is denied. The effective date remains March 29, 2021, as the earliest date of claim. An initial rating in excess of 20 percent for the back disability from March 29, 2021, is also denied.
- Granted
The Veteran's low back disability and right leg radiculopathy are granted service connection, but left leg radiculopathy is denied.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU, finding that his service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment.
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