The Veteran's claims for an effective date earlier than January 20, 2012 for the grant of service connection for lumbar spine disability and for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and major depressive disorder) were both denied. The Board found that there was no evidence to support a finding of service connection for either condition.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's claims were not supported by sufficient evidence, including the absence of a diagnosed psychiatric disorder related to his in-service stressor and the lack of a diagnosis of PTSD based on the criteria set forth in DSM-5.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbosacral spine degenerative joint disease with degenerative disc disease, an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and major depressive disorder
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- April 7, 2020
- Citation
- 20023772
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 20023772.
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: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and development of records. The Veteran was previously assigned a rating of 10 percent for his service-connected back condition, but now seeks higher ratings.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a new examination.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination, as well as to consider new evidence. The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection, but his right and left knee disabilities are still pending due to lack of a VA examination.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including scheduling a videoconference hearing and obtaining an addendum opinion from a VA psychologist or psychiatrist regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders.
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