The Veteran's service-connected chronic low back strain is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board denied a higher rating.,The Veteran's service-connected schizoaffective disorder (previously rated as psychotic disorder NOS) was granted an initial disability rating of 70 percent for the period from January 26, 2009 to May 9, 2019. The Board denied a higher rating for the entire appeal period.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU for the portion of the appeal period prior to April 14, 2016 was granted.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not show that the Veteran had forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine of 30 degrees or less or ankylosis at any point during the appeal period.,The Veteran's schizoaffective disorder manifested as no worse than occupational and social impairment, with deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood, due to symptoms including depression and anxiety; chronic sleep impairment; impaired memory; panic attacks; audiovisual hallucinations; and suicidal ideation.,The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment for the portion of the appeal period prior to April 14, 2016.
- Claimed conditions
- Chronic Low Back Strain, Schizoaffective Disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 70%
- Decision date
- March 16, 2020
- Citation
- 20019563
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 20019563.
What this means for you
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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 PTSD and Schizoaffective Disorder as there is no current diagnosis of PTSD, the appellant did not become disabled due to schizoaffective disorder in the line of duty during a period of active duty for training or inactive duty for training, and the evidence does not support an in-service injury or disease that could be directly related to the later diagnosed conditions.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's eligibility for the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) is being remanded due to a duty-to-assist error. The VA needs to obtain a more detailed and thoroughly explained medical opinion regarding the Veteran's need for personal care services.
- Granted
The Veteran's PTSD has rendered him housebound in fact since February 1, 2025. The Board granted entitlement to special monthly compensation (SMC) based on housebound status under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s)(2).
- Partly granted
The Board granted an effective date of December 20, 2007 for the grant of service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder and increased ratings to 70% from March 27, 2020 to June 5, 2020, and 100% from June 5, 2020. The claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability was denied.
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