The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disorders, including whether they are related to his active service. The examination must assess if PTSD meets the DSM-IV criteria for diagnosis and whether it is at least as likely as not caused by an in-service stressor, such as fear of hostile military or terrorist activity. For any other acquired psychiatric disorder found, the examiner must determine if it began during service.
The deciding factor: Further development is required to address the nature and etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disorders due to potential changes in regulations regarding PTSD claims and the need for additional medical evidence.
- Claimed conditions
- Acquired Psychiatric Disorder (including PTSD), Major Depressive Disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 4, 2012
- Citation
- 1219437
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 1219437.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's major depressive disorder is found to be caused by his service-connected low back and radiculopathy disabilities, which prevent him from doing enjoyable activities and daily living tasks.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for PTSD and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's erectile dysfunction is secondary to his service-connected major depressive disorder, and thus grants service connection for this condition.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for a 70 percent disability rating for his psychiatric disorder, including PTSD with MDD and anxiety, has been granted. However, the issue of entitlement to Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) is remanded due to procedural issues.
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