The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder including PTSD, chronic fatigue syndrome, and bilateral pes planus. The Veteran's current diagnoses are alcohol-induced major depressive disorder and a history of PTSD, but the evidence does not support a finding that his current conditions are related to military service.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence did not establish a link between the Veteran’s current psychiatric or musculoskeletal conditions and his active duty service.
- Claimed conditions
- Acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), Chronic fatigue syndrome, Bilateral pes planus
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- February 20, 2020
- Citation
- 20013019
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 20013019.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for sleep apnea and acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) due to insufficient evidence of record. The Veteran is required to undergo VA examinations to determine if his conditions are related to service.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral pes planus is not service-connected due to a duty-to-assist error, and remands the case for further examination and opinion.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's claim for SMC(o) was denied as he could not receive multiple awards of SMC(l). The right shoulder bicipital tendonitis rating was denied, and the TDIU claim was granted.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of an in-service infection and chronic fatigue syndrome are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the cause of his claimed conditions.
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