The Veteran's claims for increased PTSD, ischemic heart disease, Peyronie's disease, and left knee disability are being remanded due to the need for additional development.,The Veteran's claim of service connection for ischemic heart disease is being remanded as it may be related to herbicide agent exposure during his service aboard the USS America. Additional evidence will be needed to determine if this exposure can be presumed based on his service record.,The Veteran's claim of service connection for Peyronie's disease is also being remanded due to potential herbicide agent exposure during his service aboard the USS America. Additional evidence will be needed to determine if this exposure can be presumed based on his service record.,The Veteran's claim of service connection for a left knee disability is being remanded as it may be related to an in-service injury. An examination will be required to assess whether any current conditions are at least as likely as not caused by the in-service injury.
The deciding factor: Additional evidence, including ship logbooks and VA examinations, is needed to determine if the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents can be presumed based on his service aboard the USS America.,The examiner was asked to address whether the Veteran’s current heart condition was directly related to his military service and whether it was proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected hypertension. The opinion provided did not contain the analysis requested in the Board's order, so an additional etiology opinion may be required.,An examination will be required to assess whether any of the Veteran’s left knee conditions are at least as likely as not related to an in-service injury.,The examiner was asked to address causation and aggravation. If aggravation is found, the examiner should attempt to quantify the degree of additional disability resulting from aggravation.
- Claimed conditions
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Ischemic Heart Disease, Peyronie's disease, Left knee disability
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 25, 2020
- Citation
- 20043228
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 20043228.
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.
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.