The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, which is the maximum rating available under current criteria.,The Veteran's bilateral pes planus is currently rated at 30 percent. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 30 percent and the Board denied an increased rating.
The deciding factor: The Veteran’s PTSD symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher (70% or 100%) disability rating under Diagnostic Code 4.130, as he does not exhibit all of the symptoms associated with such ratings.,The evidence shows that the Veteran's bilateral pes planus is characterized by severe flatfoot deformity and other symptoms consistent with a 30 percent rating, but no higher.,The Veteran’s lumbar spine disability did not manifest in incapacitating episodes of intervertebral disc syndrome, forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine to 30 degrees or less, or ankylosis. Therefore, a higher rating is not warranted.
- Claimed conditions
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Bilateral Pes Planus, Degenerative Disc Disease of the Lumbar Spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- April 23, 2024
- Citation
- 24017373
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 24017373.
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 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.
- Whole decision: 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.
- Whole decision: 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.
- Whole decision: 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.
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