The Veteran's claim for PTSD was reopened and granted. His lumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent, effective from December 7, 2015. Separate ratings of 10 percent are assigned for right lower extremity radiculopathy from December 7, 2015 to April 28, 2017, and 20 percent thereafter. A separate rating of 20 percent is assigned for left lower extremity radiculopathy as of April 28, 2017.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's PTSD was reopened due to new evidence confirming a link between his current diagnosis and service stressors. His lumbar spine disability meets the criteria for a 20 percent rating under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine, with separate ratings assigned for radiculopathy.
- Claimed conditions
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Degenerative Joint Disease with Spondylotic Changes of the Lumbar Spine, Right Lower Extremity Radiculopathy, Left Lower Extremity Radiculopathy
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- June 28, 2018
- Citation
- 18114407
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 18114407.
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.
- Granted
Service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is granted. The appeal as to the issue of entitlement to service connection for erectile dysfunction is dismissed.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD with alcohol use disorder was denied, and he was granted a TDIU. The Board found that the symptoms did not meet criteria for a 100% disability rating.
- Granted
The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy has been granted a 30 percent disability rating since November 29, 2021.
- Partly granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Major Depressive Disorder with Insomnia Disorder, was granted. The effective date is set at October 25, 2022.
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