The Board has determined that the Veteran's bruxism, left and right foot conditions are related to his military service. However, the Veteran is not entitled to a rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD or a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities as his examination was not conducted and additional development is needed.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's PTSD may be contributing to his bruxism, but other factors are also contributory. The Veteran's foot conditions are related to his military service. However, the Veteran has not been examined for his PTSD and a TDIU claim cannot be decided without resolving the issue of an increased rating for PTSD.
- Claimed conditions
- bruxism, left foot condition (claimed as left metatarsal muscle injury), right foot condition (claimed as right metatarsal muscle injury)
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 19, 2020
- Citation
- 20041978
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 20041978.
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 claims for service connection for hypertension, back pain, right hip pain, left hip pain, right knee pain, and left knee pain have been readjudicated. The claim for sleep apnea has also been readjudicated.,Service connection has been granted for a neck condition, back pain, right hip pain, left hip pain, right knee pain, left knee pain, an acquired psychiatric disorder, bruxism, and vertigo.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for service connection on multiple conditions have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of the appeal.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for cervical strain with degenerative arthritis, intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) and spinal stenosis and bruxism. The Veteran's neck disability is believed to have started following a skydiving accident during active service, while her bruxism began during active service.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's claims for tinnitus and an acquired psychiatric disability were dismissed due to improper concurrent elections.,The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of back, sciatic nerve, right shoulder, foot, skin, left-hand, or right-hand disabilities. The claim for headaches was also denied.
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.