The Board has remanded both issues for further development and medical opinions. The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and recurrent major depression, is remanded due to the broadening of the claim. The rating in excess of 30 percent for bilateral pes planus with degenerative changes in the first MTP joints bilaterally and hallux rigidus of the right first MTP joint is also remanded.
The deciding factor: The Board found that additional development was needed to determine whether higher or separate ratings may be warranted for the Veteran's bilateral pes planus disability under specific diagnostic codes, as well as to obtain medical opinions regarding the onset and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorder.
- Claimed conditions
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Recurrent Major Depression
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 15, 2018
- Citation
- 18150758
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 18150758.
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.
- 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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