The Veteran's PTSD is granted as service connection was established based on a diagnosed condition and credible supporting evidence of an in-service stressor.,Service connection for low back disability is granted, with the diagnosis being intervertebral disc degeneration and spinal stenosis of the lumbar region (low back disability).,The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy secondary to his now service-connected low back disability is granted. The link between the two conditions was established by medical evidence.,Service connection for residuals of a head injury, manifested as head pain, memory impairment, loss of balance, and dizziness, is granted based on credible supporting evidence that the claimed in-service stressor occurred.,The Veteran's right foot disability does not meet service connection criteria.
The deciding factor: For PTSD, there was a diagnosed condition (PTSD) and credible supporting evidence linking it to an in-service stressor (personal assault).,For low back disability, the diagnosis of intervertebral disc degeneration and spinal stenosis of the lumbar region was established by medical records showing symptoms during service and post-service.,For bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, there was a diagnosed condition linked to an already service-connected low back disability based on medical evidence.,For residuals of a head injury, credible supporting evidence that the claimed in-service stressor (personal assault) occurred was provided by the Veteran's statements and corroborated service treatment records.,For right foot disability, no evidence met the criteria for service connection.
- Claimed conditions
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Intervertebral disc degeneration and spinal stenosis of the lumbar region (low back disability), Bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, Residuals of a head injury, manifested as head pain, memory impairment, loss of balance, and dizziness, Right foot disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 23, 2026
- Citation
- A26025584
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 A26025584.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted as the evidence shows a current diagnosis of PTSD, an in-service stressor, and a medical link between the two.
- Denied
The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50% since March 23, 2004. The Board found that a higher rating is not warranted prior to February 15, 2005 due to the severity of his symptoms and their impact on his social and occupational functioning.
- 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.
- Granted
The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 70% disability rating. The Veteran also met the criteria for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.
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