The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder. The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is related to his in-service injury during INACDUTRA.,Service connection was also granted for the Veteran's posttraumatic headaches with an initial evaluation of 30 percent from July 14, 2014.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence supports a finding that the Veteran's current lumbar spine disability and acquired psychiatric disorder are related to his in-service injury during INACDUTRA. The Board finds reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran's claims.,The VA examination findings support an initial evaluation of 30 percent for posttraumatic headaches from July 14, 2014.
- Claimed conditions
- Lumbar Spine Degenerative Disc Disease, Acquired Psychiatric Disorder (including Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Depressive Disorder)
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 23, 2016
- Citation
- 1647888
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 1647888.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, and the Board has determined that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating. The claims for increased ratings of lumbar spine disability, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and TDIU are being remanded.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection and increased ratings for IBS, lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, and left knee iliotibial band friction syndrome with history of early medial and patellofemoral compartment arthritis to correct pre-decisional duty to assist errors.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates, higher ratings for PTSD, and service connection for various conditions, while remanding several service connection claims.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and special monthly compensation, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating or an earlier effective date.
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.