The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, but not higher. The Board found that the disability does not meet criteria for a higher rating due to insufficient evidence of total occupational and social impairment.,For lumbar spine disability, the Veteran was granted an increased rating to 20 percent effective March 10, 2018. The current rating is based on forward flexion limited to 45 degrees with no ankylosis or incapacitating episodes due to intervertebral disc syndrome.,For right ankle disability, a 10 percent rating was granted effective March 10, 2018. The Veteran's disability is characterized by moderate ankle symptoms including painful motion and limited dorsiflexion and plantar flexion.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not show total occupational and social impairment due to PTSD, despite the Veteran experiencing some functional limitations.,For lumbar spine disability, the rating was based on forward flexion of 45 degrees without ankylosis or incapacitating episodes. The current rating is consistent with these findings.,Right ankle disability was rated at 10 percent as it met criteria for moderate disability symptoms including painful motion and limited dorsiflexion and plantar flexion.
- Claimed conditions
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Lumbar Spine Disability, Right Ankle Disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 24, 2024
- Citation
- 24003510
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,017 · Granted: 36% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 24003510.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted as the evidence shows a current diagnosis of PTSD, an in-service stressor, and a medical link between the two.
- Denied
The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50% since March 23, 2004. The Board found that a higher rating is not warranted prior to February 15, 2005 due to the severity of his symptoms and their impact on his social and occupational functioning.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and any acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current mental health conditions and his military service.
- 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.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.