The Veteran's lumbosacral degenerative disc disease is rated at 20 percent, and his PTSD with depressive disorder and alcohol use disorder is rated at 70 percent. The Veteran also received a TDIU effective April 11, 2023, and SMC based on housebound status effective the same date.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not support a higher rating for lumbosacral degenerative disc disease or PTSD with depressive disorder and alcohol use disorder.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbosacral degenerative disc disease, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with depressive disorder and alcohol use disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- February 20, 2026
- Citation
- 26002372
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 26002372.
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 found the reduction in disability evaluation from 40% to 20% was improper and void ab initio due to inadequate examination for reduction.
- Granted
The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for lumbosacral degenerative disc disease and spondylosis, finding that his current disabilities are related to his active duty service.
- Partly granted
The Board denied an initial disability rating in excess of 20 percent for service-connected lumbosacral degenerative disc disease and granted a separate 10 percent disability rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy associated with the same condition.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the issue of entitlement to an initial disability rating in excess of 20 percent, prior to March 26, 2025, for lumbosacral degenerative disc disease due to insufficient evidence.
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