The veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD was denied in a February 2001 decision. The RO increased the disability rating to 70 percent effective March 25, 2003. However, the case is being remanded due to incomplete records and VCAA compliance issues.
The deciding factor: The VA Regional Office (RO) failed to obtain all relevant treatment records from the veteran's most recent provider, the Columbia VAMC, which could provide additional evidence supporting his claim for an increased rating for PTSD. The RO also did not comply with the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 (VCAA), which requires notification and assistance in obtaining evidence.
- Claimed conditions
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 70%
- Decision date
- April 30, 2004
- Citation
- 0411314
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 0411314.
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.
- Partly granted
The Veteran's PTSD was granted a 70 percent rating prior to March 7, 2022, while other claims were denied.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and GAD, as well as tinnitus.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, as it needs a medical opinion addressing the nature and etiology of the condition prior to October 16, 2023.
- Granted
The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities.
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