The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the veteran's service connection for PTSD and an increased rating for his low back disability. The RO must obtain all relevant medical records, including those from VA treatment centers, and attempt to corroborate the veteran's reported in-service stressful experiences. If combat service or specific stressors are verified, a VA examination will be scheduled to determine if the veteran meets the criteria for PTSD and assess the severity of his low back disability.
The deciding factor: The Board found that additional development is needed due to incomplete records and unverified in-service stressors which could affect the determination of service connection for PTSD. The RO must ensure all necessary actions are taken as per the VCAA requirements.
- Claimed conditions
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Degenerative Changes at L4-5
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 26, 2004
- Citation
- 0423553
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 0423553.
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 Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to December 27, 2019 for the grant of service connection for PTSD was denied as there is no earlier claim document in the claims file and the Veteran did not timely perfect an appeal.
- Granted
The Veteran's PTSD is granted as a result of military sexual trauma (MST) that occurred during service. The Board found the Veteran's testimony and supporting evidence credible, including her VA and private treatment records.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for TDIU is granted with an effective date of August 17, 2022. The decision also denies the Veteran's request for Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) due to lack of need for aid and attendance or being housebound.
- Granted
The Board has granted eligibility to attorney fees based on past-due benefits awarded in the October 2024 rating decision for an increased PTSD rating and denied TDIU.
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