The Veteran's PTSD symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating, as they are currently rated at 70 percent.,Left lower extremity radiculopathy is granted a 20 percent rating. Right lower extremity radiculopathy and right knee strain remain at their current ratings of 10 percent.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's PTSD symptoms do not meet the criteria for total occupational and social impairment, as they cause significant but not complete impairment.
- Claimed conditions
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) with alcohol use disorder, Left lower extremity radiculopathy, Right lower extremity radiculopathy, Right knee strain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 70%
- Decision date
- March 15, 2023
- Citation
- 23015817
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 23015817.
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.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a right knee disability, finding that there was no nexus between his current condition and active duty service.
- Granted
The Board has granted effective dates of July 10, 2024 for service connection for PTSD, lumbar strain, and left lower extremity radiculopathy.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine strain, right wrist sprain, right knee strain, left knee strain, and right ankle strain. The disabilities are all deemed to have begun during the Veteran's active duty.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection of a right knee condition due to inadequate VA opinions and incomplete record development regarding his National Guard service.
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