The Board denied an initial rating higher than 70 percent for PTSD and persistent mood disorder, granted a 40 percent initial rating for low back disability, and denied initial ratings higher than 10 percent for plantar fasciitis and radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities involving the sciatic nerve.

The deciding factor: The Veteran's psychiatric disorder did not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to insufficient symptoms, while his low back disability met the criteria for a 40 percent rating based on limited forward flexion.

Claimed conditions

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and persistent mood disorder, Degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine (low back disability), Plantar fasciitis, Radiculopathy of the left lower extremity involving the sciatic nerve, Radiculopathy of the right lower extremity involving the sciatic nerve

How they argued it

Direct service connection

Exposure basis

None

Rating assigned

None in this decision

Decision date

December 17, 2025

Citation

A25109050

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