The appeal for TDIU is dismissed as the Veteran's ischemic heart disease already warrants a 100% schedular disability rating. The claims for PTSD, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities are remanded due to incomplete VA treatment records from February 2017 to August 2019. The SMC based on housebound and aid and attendance criteria are also remanded.
The deciding factor: Incomplete VA treatment records from a critical period prior to the Veteran's death prevent proper evaluation of his current disability levels for PTSD, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy.
- Claimed conditions
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Diabetes Mellitus, Type II, Peripheral Neuropathy of the Left and Right Lower Extremities
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 13, 2020
- Citation
- 20053684
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 20053684.
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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