The Board has remanded the case for further development to determine if an earlier effective date of February 7, 2003 is warranted for the TDIU due to service-connected PTSD and malaria. The Veteran's unemployability was attributed to a combination of service-connected disabilities and non-service-connected rheumatoid arthritis.
The deciding factor: The Board found that remand was necessary to obtain a VA occupational evaluation for the period prior to November 8, 2005 to assess whether the service connected disabilities alone were disabling enough to render the Veteran unable to perform any level of work or prevent training for positions at which he could work.
- Claimed conditions
- Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), Malaria
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 70%
- Decision date
- September 2, 2020
- Citation
- 20058018
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 20058018.
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 is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) at the (o) rate and SMC at the (r)(2) rate, effective January 19, 2025. The decision finds that the Veteran's service-connected conditions warrant these awards due to his need for aid and attendance.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has identified a contradiction in the AOJ's determinations regarding the Veteran's need for aid and assistance, which requires clarification. The remanded issues are entitlement to SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another and on the basis of statutory housebound status.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for increased rating and earlier effective date for PTSD have been dismissed due to her withdrawal of the appeal.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has granted service connection for a right knee scar secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability status post knee replacement. However, the rating for PTSD remains at 30 percent and needs to be re-adjudicated due to a failure to obtain private mental health treatment records.
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