The Veteran's appeal for increased disability ratings for PTSD, TDIU and DEA benefits was denied. The Veteran is currently rated at 70 percent for PTSD with TBI.
The deciding factor: PTSD symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating as they were productive of occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity but did not reach total occupational and social impairment.
- Claimed conditions
- Ankylosing spondylitis, strain, degenerative arthritis with dextroscoliosis, thoracolumbar spine (back disability), Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) with unspecified depressive disorder and traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 70%
- Decision date
- February 27, 2026
- Citation
- A26017914
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 A26017914.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for a temporary total rating based on hospitalization or convalescence due to his service-connected cervical spine disability is remanded as the record does not include post-surgical follow-up treatment records from the University of Virginia Hospital.
- Denied
The Board has denied the Veteran's request to restore a higher rating for his left shoulder acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis, strain and rotator cuff tendonitis from 30% back to 20%, finding that the evidence did not show severity of symptoms resulting in limitation of flexion of the left arm to midway between the side and shoulder level.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's initial disability rating for his service-connected back disability is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and addendum medical opinion addressing the severity of his condition throughout the appeal period.
- Dismissed
The Board dismissed the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability due to a grant in October 2025. The back condition claim is granted with a 30% evaluation effective September 22, 2016.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.