The Veteran's back disability is rated at 10 percent, as the evidence does not show flexion of less than 60 degrees or combined range of motion less than 120 degrees.,For the psychiatric disability prior to April 7, 2017, a rating in excess of 30 percent is denied. The Veteran's symptomatology has been consistent with that identified at the April 7, 2017 examination and most closely contemplated by occupational and social impairment with reduction in reliability and productivity.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not show flexion of less than 60 degrees or combined range of motion less than 120 degrees for the back disability. The Veteran's symptoms have been consistent with those identified at the April 7, 2017 examination.,For the psychiatric disability prior to April 7, 2017, the evidence does not show additional diagnoses or conditions that would warrant a higher rating.
- Claimed conditions
- Back disability, Psychiatric disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- June 22, 2018
- Citation
- 18113306
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 18113306.
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 Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a back disability, finding that there was no evidence to support a nexus between his current condition and active duty service.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of his psychiatric disability was the initial decision, and thus attorney fees are not eligible based on past due benefits awarded in April 2025.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's psychiatric disability is currently rated at 30 percent, which is the lowest possible rating under the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders. The Board found that his symptoms did not warrant a higher rating as they were intermittent and did not significantly impair his occupational or social functioning.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's motion to revise the May 2013 rating decision that denied a TDIU, finding no clear and unmistakable error.
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