The Veteran's appeal includes issues related to earlier effective dates, SMC assignment, and initial ratings for his service-connected left eye disability and dysthymic disorder. The case is being remanded to address these claims.
The deciding factor: The Board finds that the earlier effective date claim for the service-connected left eye disability must be addressed as it may impact other aspects of the Veteran's appeal.
- Claimed conditions
- left eye disability, dysthymic disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 16, 2014
- Citation
- 1417001
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 1417001.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to duty-to-assist errors, including failing to obtain SSA records and VA medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's left eye disability is secondary to his service-connected hypertension.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his attorney, and the Board is dismissing the case.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew their appeal for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has ordered remand for the previously denied claims of service connection for left eye, right eye, and lumbar spine disabilities due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran.
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