The Board remands the issues of entitlement to a rating in excess of 70 percent for service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD/MST) with persistent depressive disorder, a total disability rating based on individual unemployability, and service connection for various conditions due to an inadequate VA examination and medical opinion.
The deciding factor: The Board finds that the VA examinations and opinions were inadequate as they did not properly consider the Veteran's lay statements regarding current pain symptoms and treatment for pain symptoms, or address the service treatment records diagnosing pes planus and treatment therefor. The failure to obtain an adequate examination constitutes a pre-decisional failure of the duty to assist.
- Claimed conditions
- Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD/MST) with persistent depressive disorder, Residuals of left foot injury, Residuals of right foot injury, Arthritis of the left shoulder and arm, Residuals of hysterectomy, Dermatophytosis (skin rash, left hand), Eczema (skin rash, neck), Dermatophytosis (skin rash, right hand)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 25, 2025
- Citation
- A25027489
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.
- Denied
The Board denied an increased disability rating higher than 50 percent for residuals of hysterectomy and an effective date earlier than July 23, 2023 for the award of special monthly compensation based on anatomical loss of a creative organ.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, effective from the date of the February 2025 rating decision.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a medical examination to determine if the Veteran's current neck strain is related to his in-service activities.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD due to an inadequate medical opinion.
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