The Board denied a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD and a rating in excess of 20 percent for the lumbar spine back disability, as the evidence did not show symptoms productive of total occupational and social impairment or greater severity.

The deciding factor: The Veteran's symptoms were found to result in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, but not to the extent required for a higher rating under the criteria.

Claimed conditions

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), Lumbar spine back disability, Right knee disability, Left lower extremity radiculopathy, Right lower extremity radiculopathy, Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), Headaches, Chronic sinusitis, Hypertension, Hypothyroidism, Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)

How they argued it

Direct service connection

Exposure basis

None

Rating assigned

None in this decision

Decision date

December 8, 2025

Citation

A25105225

Want to see how appeals like this one tend to go? Appeals like mine