The Veteran's service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and initial disability rating for lumbar spine degenerative disk disease prior to February 26, 2014 are denied. A 20 percent disability rating is granted for the lumbar spine degenerative disc disease from February 26, 2014 to June 13, 2017. The Veteran's claim for TDIU is also denied.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder or lumbar spine disability are related to service or service-connected disabilities.
- Claimed conditions
- Acquired Psychiatric Disorder, Lumbar Spine Degenerative Disk Disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- February 20, 2026
- Citation
- 26002428
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 26002428.
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 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.
- Denied
The claims for PTSD, an acquired psychiatric disorder, memory loss/memory problems, chronic fatigue, sleep difficulties/sleep disturbances, and sleep apnea have been denied. The claim for service connection for residuals of testicular denervation and varicosectomy has been granted.
- Granted
The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is granted a 70% rating, effective July 15, 2024. The Veteran's GERD remains at a 10% rating.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance due to service-connected TBI with PTSD is granted, effective September 6, 2018.
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