The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and earlier effective dates were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent for his right thumb disability, or for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD. The TDIU claim was also denied as there is no evidence showing he could not secure and maintain substantially gainful employment prior to January 28, 2012. The Board found the VA examinations inadequate and ordered additional examination on his low back disability and associated radiculopathy.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's disabilities did not meet or approximate criteria for higher ratings as per Diagnostic Codes (DCs).
- Claimed conditions
- Right Thumb Disability, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Low Back Disability, Left Lower Extremity Radiculopathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 25, 2018
- Citation
- 18144645
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 18144645.
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.
- Denied
The Board denied an initial disability rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD, finding the appellant's symptoms did not more closely approximate occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD due to an inadequate medical opinion.
- Granted
The Board granted a disability rating of 70 percent for PTSD and a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.
- Granted
The Board granted an effective date of February 21, 2007, for the award of service connection for PTSD and major depressive disorder with anxious distress.
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