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
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- 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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 20042939.
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: 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.
- Whole decision: 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.
- Whole decision: 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.
- Whole decision: 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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