The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection, initial rating for major depressive disorder, and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The AOJ is required to obtain a VA addendum opinion regarding the lower back injury claim, obtain updated VA treatment records from December 1, 2015 through the present, provide the Veteran with a VA psychiatric examination to determine the current nature and severity of his major depressive disorder, and readjudicate the claims.
The deciding factor: The Board found that further development is needed for the lower back injury claim due to inadequacy of the April 2013 VA back conditions examination. The AOJ must obtain a VA addendum opinion addressing the Veteran's statements regarding his lower back injuries and in-service events, as well as updated VA treatment records.
- Claimed conditions
- major depressive disorder, lower back injury
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- July 28, 2016
- Citation
- 1630292
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 1630292.
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.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for specially-adapted housing assistance and a special home adaptation grant was denied because he does not meet the criteria for either benefit based on his service-connected disabilities.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, is being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding his alleged stressors.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder and major depressive disorder has been dismissed as the appellant requested withdrawal of the appeal.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided that the Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, should be remanded due to a failure to verify a stressor related to the death of his two best friends in Iraq. The AOJ needs to develop this stressor.
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