The Veteran's PTSD rating is denied as it does not meet the criteria for a higher than 70 percent disability rating. A TDIU for PTSD since February 18, 2020 is granted.,Service connection for ischemic heart disease and bilateral hand disability are remanded due to lack of adequate medical evidence in the record.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's PTSD symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher than 70 percent rating, as they do not result in total occupational and social impairment.,There is insufficient evidence regarding the onset and etiology of the Veteran's heart condition and hand disability. Additional medical records are needed to determine if these conditions are related to service.
- Claimed conditions
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Ischemic Heart Disease, Bilateral Hand Disability
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 12, 2021
- Citation
- A21016566
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 A21016566.
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's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted as the evidence shows a current diagnosis of PTSD, an in-service stressor, and a medical link between the two.
- Denied
The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50% since March 23, 2004. The Board found that a higher rating is not warranted prior to February 15, 2005 due to the severity of his symptoms and their impact on his social and occupational functioning.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and any acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current mental health conditions and his military service.
- Granted
The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 70% disability rating. The Veteran also met the criteria for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.
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