The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis related to an acquired psychiatric disorder, and thus service connection for this condition is denied.,The Veteran's left eye loss of visual acuity claim requires additional evidence as there are no current records showing a diagnosed condition.
The deciding factor: There is no competent medical evidence establishing the presence of a current diagnosis related to an acquired psychiatric disorder. The Veteran’s assertions regarding his symptoms have not been supported by objective medical findings.,The Veteran's left eye loss of visual acuity claim requires additional VA examination and treatment records to determine if he currently has a diagnosed condition.
- Claimed conditions
- Acquired Psychiatric Disorder (Depression), Loss of Visual Acuity in Left Eye, Left Knee Condition, Thoracolumbar Spine Condition, Left Lower Extremity Lumbar Radiculopathy, Right Lower Extremity Radiculopathy, Right Knee Patellofemoral Syndrome, Psoriasis
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 4, 2018
- Citation
- 18155041
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 18155041.
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 bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy has been granted a 30 percent disability rating since November 29, 2021.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for bilateral knee conditions, finding that the Veteran's current knee conditions are more likely than not related to his military service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy are being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition, without considering the ameliorative effects of any medication he uses.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is likely due to his service-connected lumbar spine and radiculopathy conditions, with tramadol use possibly causing the condition by October 25, 2012. The effective date for ED will be remanded.,Due to the inextricably intertwined nature of the issues, including the need to determine if tramadol caused ED prior to August 30, 2013, the SMC issue is also remanded.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.