The Board has found that further evidentiary development is necessary before a decision can be reached on the merits of the underlying claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD with alcohol dependence and TDIU. The case must be remanded to obtain complete treatment records from the Indianapolis VAMC, Vet Center, and schedule VA examinations.
The deciding factor: The Board determined that additional evidence is needed before a decision can be made on the merits of the Veteran's claims due to incomplete medical records and the need for further examination.
- Claimed conditions
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder with Alcohol Dependence
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 4, 2015
- Citation
- 1550940
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 1550940.
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 special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance is remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The Board requires an adequate VA examination to clarify whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities cause him to require the aid and attendance of another.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran is seeking a higher initial disability rating for his service-connected PTSD with alcohol dependence, currently rated at 50 percent. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the current severity of this condition.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further examination and evaluation of his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD with alcohol dependence, lumbosacral sprain, cervical sprain with degenerative changes, and neuropathic symptoms of the right lower extremity. The case will be returned to the Board after these actions are completed.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar myositis, psychoneurosis and conversion hysteria, residuals of shrapnel wounds of the left thigh and pelvis with retained foreign bodies and scars, and residuals of shell fragment wounds of the right thigh and left leg. The veteran was also denied entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.
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.