The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is denied as he does not meet the diagnostic criteria for PTSD under DSM-V.,The Veteran's bilateral patellofemoral syndrome of the knees, left Achilles tendonitis, left elbow olecranon bursitis with spur, and right shoulder impingement with degenerative joint disease are all rated at 10 percent each.
The deciding factor: The Veteran does not meet the diagnostic criteria for PTSD under DSM-V.,The Veteran's musculoskeletal disabilities do not warrant a higher evaluation as they only show painful motion, which is contemplated within the schedule of ratings.
- Claimed conditions
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Acquired Psychiatric Disability (including Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and Adjustment Disorder with Anxiety), Bilateral Patellofemoral Syndrome of the Knees, Left Achilles’ Tendonitis, Left Elbow Olecranon Bursitis with Spur, Right Shoulder Impingement with Degenerative Joint Disease, Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 25, 2018
- Citation
- 18144251
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 18144251.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Partly granted
The Veteran's PTSD was granted a 70 percent rating prior to March 7, 2022, while other claims were denied.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for GERD as it was aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, but denied service connection for ED due to a lack of evidence showing a current diagnosis. The issue of entitlement to service connection for anxiety is remanded.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for erectile dysfunction and denied service connection for left foot tendonitis. The Veteran's gastroesophageal reflux disease and bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis were rated in excess of 10 percent and 50 percent, respectively.
- Granted
The Board granted a 10 percent evaluation for the Veteran's GERD, finding that his condition is productive of daily medications to control dysphagia and is otherwise asymptomatic.
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