The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and granted service connection for a bilateral foot disability (to include pes planus). The denial was based on the lack of a current diagnosis of PTSD that meets DSM-5 criteria. Service connection for the bilateral foot disability was granted as it is considered directly related to active duty service.
The deciding factor: The Board found no current diagnosis of PTSD meeting DSM-5 criteria and thus denied service connection for this condition. For the bilateral foot disability, the Board determined there was sufficient evidence linking the condition to active duty service.
- Claimed conditions
- acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD), bilateral foot disability (to include pes planus)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- October 27, 2021
- Citation
- 21065730
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 21065730.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for tinnitus and denied it for bilateral hearing loss, while remanding the claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, was denied. The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric disorder.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for tinnitus was also denied as his symptoms are already at the maximum schedular rating.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for service connection for diabetes mellitus type 2 was dismissed due to the appellant withdrawing their request. The appeals for service connection for PTSD and a right hand disability are remanded.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus, bilateral eye condition, and acquired psychiatric disorder due to inadequate opinions in previous decisions.
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