The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disorder did not cause or aggravate his cannabis use disorder.,For the period prior to June 13, 2015, the Veteran's left knee flexion was not limited to 30 degrees throughout the course of the appeal. Since June 13, 2015, the Veteran's left ankle has not exhibited ankylosis.,The Veteran's psychiatric disorder did not cause or aggravate his cannabis use disorder.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner found that the Veteran's cannabis use disorder is not caused by or aggravated by his service-connected unspecified anxiety disorder.
- Claimed conditions
- Cannabis Use Disorder, Left Knee Patellofemoral Syndrome (PFS), Left Ankle Strain
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 31, 2022
- Citation
- 22049694
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 22049694.
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 PTSD has been granted a 70% rating effective March 25, 2024. The Board found that the increase in severity of his disability warranted this rating.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical evidence regarding the Veteran's PTSD and bipolar disorder, as well as a failure to provide an adequate VA examination prior to the rating decision.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD with cannabis use disorder is granted, effective October 19, 2020. The Board also granted an earlier effective date of November 18, 2011.
- Granted
The Board has restored the Veteran's disability rating for PTSD from 70% to 50%, effective December 1, 2019, finding that any improvement in his condition did not reflect an actual improvement in his ability to function.
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