The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is being remanded due to the need for clarification and additional development by a VA examiner.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner’s opinion was inadequate, requiring further clarification regarding the etiology of the Veteran's mood disorder with depression and anxiety.
- Claimed conditions
- an unspecified mood disorder including depressive and anxiety distress, Cannabis abuse
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 15, 2015
- Citation
- 1539550
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 1539550.
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 remanded the Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD with alcohol and cannabis abuse due to outstanding VA treatment records. The issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is also being remanded as it may be significantly impacted by the outcome of the increased rating claim.
- Denied
The Veteran's PTSD with cannabis abuse and anxiety disorder is currently rated at 70 percent disabling from November 5, 2015. The appeal for a higher rating prior to this date has been denied.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol and cannabis abuse is rated at different levels depending on the time period considered. The initial rating prior to August 9, 2011 was denied, a higher rating from August 9, 2011 to March 18, 2019 was also denied, and a higher rating since March 18, 2019 is still pending.
- Denied
The Board found that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD and thus, service connection cannot be granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder.
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