The Board has expanded the claim to include all acquired psychiatric disabilities and the issue has been recharacterized as service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as schizophrenia) and diplopia (claimed as double vision due to a laceration of the left upper eyelid). The appeal is REMANDED to obtain outstanding records, including SPRs and STRs, VA treatment records, private mental health treatment records, and inpatient treatment records. An addendum opinion from the VA eye examiner is also needed regarding the etiology of the Veteran's diplopia. A VA psychiatric examination should be scheduled for an opinion on whether any acquired psychiatric disorders are related to service.
The deciding factor: The appeal requires additional development as there may be outstanding records that must be obtained, including SPRs and STRs, VA treatment records, private mental health treatment records, and inpatient treatment records. An addendum opinion from the VA eye examiner is also needed regarding the etiology of the Veteran's diplopia.
- Claimed conditions
- acquired psychiatric disorder, diplopia
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 13, 2015
- Citation
- 1547814
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 1547814.
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 case for additional development regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for service connection on the merits are being remanded due to new evidence and development needs. The maximum disability rating for tinnitus has already been assigned.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to service connection for headaches, right hip disorder, left hip disorder, back disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to a failure to provide notice regarding the Veteran's right to a hearing.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for an addendum opinion regarding the nature and etiology of his unspecified neurocognitive disorder, which was diagnosed after a September 2021 heart surgery. The issues are about service connection on the merits.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.