The Veteran's service-connected low back disability was granted, but his initial PTSD rating prior to November 8, 2004 and subsequent increased PTSD ratings are denied. The decision is mixed as some issues were granted while others were not.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner found the Veteran's current low back disability less likely caused by service due to lack of documented complaints post-service and normal physical examinations at release from service, but agreed with his private physician that his PTSD symptoms are related to service.
- Claimed conditions
- low back disability, lumbar muscle spasms, spondylosis, degenerative disc disease at L4-L5
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 50%
- Decision date
- January 4, 2012
- Citation
- 1200224
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 1200224.
What this means for you
A partial grant means some issues were granted while others were denied or remanded — common in multi-issue claims. Look at which issues went which way, and how each was argued.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has found that remand is needed for the Veteran's claims due to duty to assist errors, including clarification of periods of service and obtaining relevant records. The Veteran will be afforded new medical examinations for each claimed disability.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the claims of right shoulder disability and low back disability due to insufficient evidence.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection of a low back disability was granted with an effective date of January 9, 2018. The Board accepted her November 21, 2019 VA Form 20-0996 as a valid opt-in of the April 2019 SOC into the modernized review system.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal concerning diabetes and a low back disability has been dismissed due to their death during the pendency of the appeal.
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