The Veteran's appeal for service connection of a substance use disorder and an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for right foot tenosynovitis with mild osteoarthritis was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support secondary service connection for the substance use disorder, and that the severity of the right foot disability did not warrant a higher than 10 percent rating.
The deciding factor: The Board determined that there was no evidence to support a finding that the Veteran's substance use disorder was related to his service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder. The VA examiner also found that the right foot disability, while painful and limiting in some activities, did not meet the criteria for a higher than 10 percent rating.
- Claimed conditions
- Substance Use Disorder, Right Foot Tenosynovitis with Mild Osteoarthritis
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- February 22, 2022
- Citation
- 22010182
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 22010182.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran seeks service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the presence of the suicide incident and the need for a VA examination.
- Denied
The Veteran's PTSD with substance use disorder and major depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran has been granted TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disability, including depressive disorder and substance use disorder, as secondary to PTSD was granted. The decision is based on the established in-service stressor and current diagnoses.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is causing him to seek drugs and alcohol, which has led to a substance use disorder. The Board has remanded the claims for service connection of the substance use disorder as secondary to PTSD.
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