The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD as a result of military sexual trauma is reopened and remanded. The claims for increased ratings for hammer toes of the left foot and right foot are also remanded. Additionally, the claim for a compensable rating for bilateral corns on feet and initial compensable rating for surgical scars of the feet are remanded. Finally, the TDIU claim is inextricably intertwined with these issues and must be remanded.
The deciding factor: The Veteran has submitted new evidence that relates to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate his claim for service connection for PTSD as a result of military sexual trauma. The VA examiner should take account of the presumption of soundness upon entry into service when considering this issue. Additionally, updated treatment records are needed to evaluate the current severity of the Veteran's hammer toes and corns on feet.
- Claimed conditions
- Acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD as a result of military sexual trauma)
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 16, 2020
- Citation
- 20061050
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 20061050.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and providing proper notice regarding secondary service connection.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The appeal is granted as his PTSD is now considered service-connected.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection of a left leg disability is reopened, and the appeal is granted.
- Partly granted
The Board has not made a final determination on the claims of service connection for inguinal hernia, PTSD, joint pain, fibromyalgia, left knee disability, right knee disability, tinnitus, chronic fatigue syndrome, respiratory disability, sleep disorder, IBS, and headaches. The claims are remanded to obtain additional evidence and determine if these conditions are related to service.
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