The Veteran's back condition is rated at a 20 percent rating, effective from the date of his claim. His acquired mental disorder (including PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder) is rated at a 70 percent rating, also effective from the date of his claim.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner found that the Veteran's back condition resulted in an estimated functional loss of forward flexion to 60 degrees due to pain. For his mental health conditions, he was found to have occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Disc Disease, Acquired Mental Disorder (to include Major Depressive Disorder and PTSD)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- August 3, 2022
- Citation
- 22044036
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 22044036.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 70% disability rating. The Veteran also met the criteria for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty to assist error and requires an additional VA examination for the Veteran's back disability.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has found new and relevant evidence in support of the Veteran's previously denied service-connection claim for a back condition to include degenerative joint disease and degenerative disc disease. The case is being remanded for further review.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for a VA examination to determine the nature and likely etiology of the Veteran's back disability, including whether it is related to service.
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