The Veteran's back disorders and PTSD were denied as service connection was not established, and the initial rating for PTSD could not be increased beyond 30%.
The deciding factor: Service connection could not be granted due to lack of evidence linking the conditions to service. The Veteran's PTSD did not meet criteria for a higher rating based on severity or frequency of symptoms.
- Claimed conditions
- degenerative spondylosis, dextroscoliosis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- June 5, 2020
- Citation
- 20038752
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 20038752.
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: Dismissed
The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection due to his withdrawal of the appeal prior to a decision being made.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for thoracolumbar spine condition, including chronic mechanical spine syndrome and lumbar degenerative arthritis, with bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy but denied service connection for dextroscoliosis.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board granted service connection for the Veteran's lower back condition and left leg radiculopathy, finding that these conditions were incurred in or caused by active military service.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board granted readjudication of the service connection claim for a thoracolumbar spine disorder, but remanded the claims for radiculopathy.
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