The Veteran's claims for PTSD and cervical spine disorder were denied due to lack of current diagnoses. The Board found no evidence linking the Veteran’s WPW syndrome to service, as it was pre-existing and not aggravated by service.,The Veteran's lumbar spine, left knee, migraines, gastrointestinal disorders (IBS and GERD), and right foot plantar warts claims were all remanded for further examination and opinion.
The deciding factor: PTSD and cervical spine disorder diagnoses are not established. WPW syndrome is congenital in nature and pre-existing to service.,Lumbar spine, left knee, migraines, gastrointestinal disorders (IBS and GERD), and right foot plantar warts claims were remanded for further examination and opinion.
- Claimed conditions
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Cervical Spine Disorder, Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome (WPW) Syndrome, Lumbar Spine Disorder, Left Knee Disorder, Migraines, Gastrointestinal Disorder (IBS and GERD), Right Foot Plantar Warts
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 16, 2020
- Citation
- 20079699
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 20079699.
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 an initial disability rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD, finding the appellant's symptoms did not more closely approximate occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD due to an inadequate medical opinion.
- Granted
The Board granted a disability rating of 70 percent for PTSD and a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.
- Partly granted
The Veteran's PTSD was granted a maximum disability rating of 100 percent effective December 12, 2022. The ratings for migraines and IBS with GERD were restored from noncompensable to their previous levels.
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.