The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to determine if the appellant's character of discharge constitutes a bar to VA benefits under Chapter 38 of the US Code. The case is REMANDED for the following actions: obtaining all service treatment records, including a March 1969 neuropsychiatric evaluation; and reviewing the evidence to determine whether the appellant's character of discharge constitutes a bar to receipt of VA benefits.
The deciding factor: The Board finds that additional evidence is needed before determining if there are compelling circumstances for the appellant's prolonged absence due to AWOL, which may affect his service connection claims.
- Claimed conditions
- shrapnel wounds
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 7, 2012
- Citation
- 1241799
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 1241799.
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 Board denied the reopening of a claim for service connection for shrapnel wounds because new evidence did not establish a current diagnosis related to service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for shrapnel wounds due to new and material evidence. The issue of service connection for hypertension is remanded as there is insufficient information on whether it is related to herbicide exposure in Vietnam.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for shrapnel wounds and unspecified skin condition on bilateral lower extremities due to lack of current diagnosis or manifestations. The case is remanded for further development, including an addendum opinion from a VA examiner.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not rendered him unemployable or unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation for the period on appeal prior to June 1, 2009.
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