The DIC benefits claim is denied as the Veteran did not meet the criteria for receiving such benefits. The cause of death claim is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected PTSD and his death.
The deciding factor: The Veteran did not have a 100% rating for at least 10 years immediately preceding death, nor was he rated as totally disabled continuously since release from active duty. The cause of death claim is remanded to obtain an opinion on the relationship between the service-connected PTSD and the Veteran's death.
- Claimed conditions
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Lumbar spine degenerative joint disease with bulging, Right lower radiculopathy involving the femoral nerve roots, Degenerative joint disease of the right shoulder, Degenerative joint disease of the right foot, Degenerative changes of the left foot, Right knee instability, Left knee instability, Degenerative joint disease of the left knee, Degenerative joint disease of the right knee, Tinnitus, Left lower radiculopathy involving the femoral nerve roots, Bilateral hearing loss, Erectile dysfunction
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 10, 2022
- Citation
- 22013645
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 22013645.
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.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.
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