The Veteran's appeal for service connection of dental disorder is dismissed. The psychiatric disorder claim, including PTSD, was reopened and granted. Service connection for depressive disorder is established. Low back disability and pseudofolliculitis barbae claims are also granted. A throat disorder claim (claimed as gastrointestinal) is pending. The left ankle disability rating remains remanded.
The deciding factor: The Veteran withdrew the issue of dental service connection, reopened psychiatric disorder, established depressive disorder service connection, granted low back and pseudofolliculitis barbae claims, and a new examination for throat disorder is required.
- Claimed conditions
- Depressive Disorder, Low Back Disability, Pseudofolliculitis Barbae, Throat Disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 14, 2021
- Citation
- 21022067
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 21022067.
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.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for service connection for PTSD has been dismissed as the claim was granted and effective from February 22, 2023.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his low back, left knee, and right knee disabilities due to inadequate VA examinations. The AOJ is instructed to obtain private treatment records from Mays & Schnapp Pain Management and schedule the Veteran for additional medical examinations.
- Granted
The Veteran's psychiatric disorder, specifically depressive disorder, is rated at 70 percent effective from August 3, 2021. The claim for a higher rating remains denied.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disability, including diagnosed degenerative arthritis with DDD other than intervertebral disc syndrome and spinal stenosis status post L3, L4, and L5 laminectomy. The decision is based on the Veteran's in-service injury and his ongoing symptoms since then.
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