The Board has decided to remand the case for further development due to conflicting medical opinions and the need for additional evidence.
The deciding factor: There are conflicting medical opinions regarding the etiology of the veteran's psychiatric disability, including PTSD. The VA psychiatrist in April 2003 found no PTSD but diagnosed dysthymic disorder. However, the July 2004 addendum is confusing and does not clearly state whether the appellant has a separate and distinct chronic acquired psychiatric disability such as dysthymic disorder related to service.
- Claimed conditions
- psychiatric disability, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), alcohol dependence, polysubstance abuse, antisocial and borderline personality disorders, depressive disorder, dysthymic disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 15, 2005
- Citation
- 0507692
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 0507692.
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.
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The Board has restored the Veteran's 100% rating for depressive disorder, effective August 1, 2020, as the reduction was improper and did not comply with applicable regulations.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for service connection for acquired psychiatric disability, including unspecified anxiety disorder, depressive disorder, kleptomania, and PTSD is being remanded due to the AOJ's failure to obtain medical records from his periods of incarceration or a medical opinion regarding his diagnoses.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been submitted for the claim of entitlement to TDIU, which is being remanded. The issue of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is also being remanded due to conflicting medical opinions.
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