The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including an addendum opinion from a VA examiner regarding whether the Veteran's pre-existing psychiatric disability existed prior to his entry into service and if it was permanently aggravated by in-service injury or as a result of any incident of service.
The deciding factor: The burden of proof is on VA to provide clear and unmistakable evidence that the Veteran's pre-existing psychiatric disability did not exist prior to service and was not aggravated during service.
- Claimed conditions
- anxiety disorders, depression disorders, disturbance of sleep
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 30, 2015
- Citation
- 1550115
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 1550115.
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 Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and anxiety disorders, is being remanded due to the submission of new evidence that may support his contention. The Board will provide a VA examination to determine if there is a causal relationship between the Veteran's current symptoms and his military service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the claims for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD with depressive, anxiety, and chronic tic disorders and the claim for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's treatment records from Dr. J.S., obtained through VA's Community Care Network, need to be considered, as well as further development on the TDIU claim.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including other specified trauma and stressor related disorder, chronic adjustment disorder, depressive disorder, PTSD, and anxiety disorders, are etiologically related to service. As such, the claim for service connection is granted.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include anxiety and depression disorders, and sleep disturbances due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error.
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