The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and service connection has been denied. The lumbar spine disorder is rated at 20% since December 5, 2011. Service connection for PTSD was also denied.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not support an increase in rating or service connection for the conditions.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Disorder of the Lumbar Spine, Acquired Psychiatric Disorder (to include Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- June 25, 2020
- Citation
- 20042939
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 20042939.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disorders of the cervical and lumbar spine, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his in-service helicopter crash during combat operations.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including post-traumatic stress disorder, is not service-connected. Essential hypertension and coronary artery disease are also not service-connected, but are found to be related to diabetes mellitus. Erectile dysfunction is not service-connected, but is considered proximately due to diabetes mellitus. Chronic tinnitus is service-connected as a complication of hearing loss.
- Denied
The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a current diagnosis or in-service occurrence of hypertension or an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. Therefore, the claims for service connection are denied.
- Denied
The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral pes planus was not incurred in service and is therefore denied. The right shoulder disorder remains on appeal as it does not meet the maximum available rating.
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