The Board has found that the RO did not substantially comply with the directives set forth in the December 2019 remand for the right foot condition claim. The Veteran's right foot condition is being remanded again due to inadequate VA opinion regarding its etiology. For the acquired psychiatric disorder, the Board finds a current PTSD diagnosis and requests an addendum opinion to clarify whether it was caused or aggravated by service-connected left foot condition.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner did not consider the Veteran's MOS as he was on jump status and inaccurately addressed the issue of chronicity and continuity of symptoms for his right foot condition. For PTSD, the Board finds a current diagnosis during the appeal period but requests an addendum opinion to clarify whether it is related to service-connected left foot condition.
- Claimed conditions
- Right foot condition, Acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- September 23, 2020
- Citation
- 20062671
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 20062671.
What this means for you
A remand sends an issue back for more development, often a new examination or missing records. It does not award the benefit or decide the final outcome. The original decision explains the additional work ordered.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's right foot condition, including pain and functional limitation, is related to service. The Veteran's right leg disability did not have an onset in service or manifest within a year of service, nor is it otherwise related to service or a service-connected disability. The Veteran's left leg disability also did not have an onset in service or manifest within a year of service, nor is it otherwise related to service or a service-connected disability.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, finding that there is no evidence linking his current mental health condition to his military service.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied as the stressors could not be verified, and there is no evidence of fear of hostile military or terrorist activity.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a right foot condition as there is no current or diagnosed disability, and the evidence does not support a finding that any such disability was incurred in service.
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