The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current back disorder or residuals of TBI related to his service. The claim for somatic symptom disorder is granted, but the claims for back disorder and TBI are denied.
The deciding factor: The most recent VA examination did not find any objective evidence of a current disability related to the claimed TBI, and the Veteran's reported symptoms do not align with established treatment protocols for TBI.
- Claimed conditions
- somatic symptom disorder, PTSD with depressive aspects
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 25, 2018
- Citation
- 1804945
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 1804945.
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 Board denied service connection for somatic symptom disorder, respiratory disorders (including COPD), nephrolithiasis, deviated nasal septum, and higher initial disability ratings for PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder with anxious distress and GERD, hiatal hernia, reflux esophagitis, Barrett's esophagus.
- Denied
The Board denied restoration of the 30 percent ratings for left knee arthritis (flexion), left knee strain arthritis (extension), and left knee instability, as well as a 20 percent rating for left ankle chronic sprain. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were also denied.
- Partly granted
The Board granted an earlier effective date of April 20, 2021 for total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and basic eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance but denied a higher rating than 50 percent for somatic symptom disorder from June 13, 2024 to February 12, 2025.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis and pes planus, as well as persistent depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, somatic symptom disorder, and alcohol use disorder, due to insufficient evidence.
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