The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for depressive disorder with anxious mood (PTSD) is denied as the symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 50 percent.,The Veteran's right hypothenar eminence scar does not warrant a compensable disability rating due to lack of other disabling effects not considered under Diagnostic Codes 7800-04.,The issue of an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for ataxia cerebellar with diplopia and dysarthria is remanded as the onset date of the condition needs clarification, and authorization to obtain relevant private treatment records is required.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU is also remanded due to his assertion that he is unemployable due to service-connected disabilities.
The deciding factor: The severity, frequency, and duration of the Veteran’s depressive disorder with anxious mood did not more closely approximate a disability characterized by occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.,The right hypothenar eminence scar does not have any other disabling effects not considered under Diagnostic Codes 7800-04.,The onset date of the ataxia cerebellar condition needs to be clearly identified, as it affects the appropriate rating for this disability.,The Veteran's assertion that he is unemployable due to service-connected disabilities necessitates further review and clarification.
- Claimed conditions
- Depressive Disorder with Anxious Mood (PTSD), Ataxia Cerebellar, Right Hypothenar Eminence Scar
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 28, 2020
- Citation
- 20056959
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 20056959.
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.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar myositis, psychoneurosis and conversion hysteria, residuals of shrapnel wounds of the left thigh and pelvis with retained foreign bodies and scars, and residuals of shell fragment wounds of the right thigh and left leg. The veteran was also denied entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected coronary artery disease, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the severity of his condition.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected musculoligamentous strain, right knee, is currently rated at 10 percent and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.
- 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.
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.