The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for his acquired psychiatric disorder and back disorder was denied. However, the Veteran received a grant of a 40 percent rating for thoracolumbar strain with chronic subscapular myositis from February 20, 2014. The decision is mixed as it granted one issue (back disorder) but denied another (PTSD and major depressive disorder).
The deciding factor: The evidence was at least in equipoise for the Veteran's thoracolumbar strain with chronic subscapular myositis warranting a 40 percent rating, while not reaching the level of equipoise for higher staged ratings for his acquired psychiatric disorder.
- Claimed conditions
- Major depressive disorder with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), Thoracolumbar strain with chronic subscapular myositis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- August 28, 2020
- Citation
- 20057053
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 20057053.
What this means for you
A partial grant means some issues were granted while others were denied or remanded — common in multi-issue claims. Look at which issues went which way, and how each was argued.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board granted an earlier effective date of July 10, 2018, for the grant of a 100 percent disability rating for service-connected major depressive disorder with PTSD and eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him so helpless as to need regular aid and attendance for the period of time on appeal.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for his service-connected psychiatric disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a new VA examination.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him in need of regular aid and attendance, which is granted for special monthly compensation.
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