The Board denied a compensable rating for lumbar spine surgical scars and a rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD, while remanding the claims for increased ratings for left shoulder strain with AC joint osteoarthritis, ulnar neuropathy of the left upper extremity, and lumbar spinal stenosis, degenerative arthritis, and degenerative disc disease.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not support a compensable rating for the lumbar spine surgical scars or a higher rating for PTSD. The claims for increased ratings were remanded due to inadequate examinations.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar spine surgical scars, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), left shoulder strain with AC joint osteoarthritis, ulnar neuropathy of the left upper extremity, lumbar spinal stenosis, degenerative arthritis, and degenerative disc disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 14, 2025
- Citation
- A25034271
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 Board remands the claim for service connection for PTSD to be readjudicated on the merits due to new and relevant evidence.
- Dismissed
The appeal seeking service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, degenerative arthritis, hyperlipidemia, and hypertension was dismissed due to non-compliance with claims processing rules.
- Partly granted
The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions were denied, except for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss disability which were granted. The veteran was also granted service connection for hypertension.
- Dismissed
The appeals for service connection for a cervical spine disorder, lumbar spinal stenosis, and psychiatric disorders were dismissed due to untimely notice of disagreement. The proposed rating reductions for lower extremity radiculopathy were also dismissed.
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