The Veteran's PTSD with MDD is rated at 50 percent, and his right foot plantar fasciitis is rated at 10 percent. The appeal for service connection of a left knee disorder, initial rating greater than 20 percent for a right knee disorder, and service connection for a headache disorder are remanded.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's PTSD with MDD does not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating as it does not cause occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas. The right foot plantar fasciitis is rated at its minimum level of severity due to relief provided by built-up shoes or arch supports.
- Claimed conditions
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), Right Foot Plantar Fasciitis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 10, 2021
- Citation
- A21018099
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 A21018099.
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 is granted a TDIU effective August 13, 2024, based on his service-connected PTSD with MDD.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD with MDD may have resulted in total occupational and social impairment prior to October 16, 2024. However, there is insufficient medical evidence of record to make a proper determination on this issue as previous VA mental health examinations did not provide necessary information concerning occupational and social impairment or consider the Veteran's spouse's report.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal for an increased disability rating for PTSD with MDD was denied, and the Board has remanded the case to consider a TDIU claim. The decision also found that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a total social impairment due to her PTSD.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD with MDD prior to March 8, 2021 is being remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. A retrospective VA examination is needed to assess the severity of his symptoms during the relevant period.
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