The Veteran's left foot disability is not service-connected, but his acquired psychiatric condition related to service is granted.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and acne prior to February 27, 2020 are denied. A higher rating for acne from February 27, 2020 is also denied.
The deciding factor: The VA-contracted examiner found no evidence of cellulitis or plantar fasciitis related to service and opined that the Veteran's current left foot disability was less likely than not aggravated by a bite and cellulitis in service.,The VA-contracted examiner diagnosed other specified trauma and stressor related disorder, finding it at least as likely as not incurred in service due to combat exposure.
- Claimed conditions
- Left foot disability (plantar fasciitis), Acquired psychiatric disability (other specified trauma and stressor related disorder)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 16, 2020
- Citation
- 20067187
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.
- Partly granted
The Board denied service connection for sinusitis and remanded the remaining claims for further development.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, effective from the date of the February 2025 rating decision.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a medical examination to determine if the Veteran's current neck strain is related to his in-service activities.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD due to an inadequate medical opinion.
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.