The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence obtained from service medical records and a need for further information regarding the veteran's in-service and other remote psychiatric history. The RO is instructed to consider all of the evidence added to the record since the June 2002 Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC) and readjudicate the claim.
The deciding factor: The Board found that new service medical records, including a March 1977 notation about the veteran's mental status during service, are now sufficient to warrant a medical opinion regarding whether it is at least as likely as not that the veteran's current psychiatric disability began during service or was caused by any incident of service.
- Claimed conditions
- paranoid schizophrenia, depression
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- August 18, 2003
- Citation
- 0320659
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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 0320659.
What this means for you
A remand sends an issue back for more development, often a new examination or missing records. It does not award the benefit or decide the final outcome. The original decision explains the additional work ordered.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining in-service psychiatric treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorder.
- Denied
The Veteran's depression was rated at 50 percent prior to July 1, 2016. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating due to occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. For TDIU, the Veteran had multiple service-connected disabilities but his education and work experience were sufficient for sedentary or light labor employment.
- Granted
The Veteran's depression was rated at 50 percent prior to September 27, 2017. From September 27, 2017, the rating for depression increased to 70 percent.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals were dismissed due to the death of the appellant. The issues related to service connection for various conditions and disability ratings.
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