The Veteran's claim for service connection for drug dependency is being remanded due to inadequate examination and the need for a new VA examination. The examiner must address any diagnosed drug dependency, its etiology, and whether it is proximately due to or caused by his service-connected schizoaffective disorder.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the August 2016 VA examiner's opinion was inadequate and requested another VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any diagnosed drug dependency.
- Claimed conditions
- drug dependency
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 29, 2017
- Citation
- 1743869
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 1743869.
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 decided to remand the case due to a failure to make reasonable efforts to obtain VA treatment records and failed to provide an adequate VA examination. The Veteran's mental health disorders are suspected to be related to service, but further evaluation is needed.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of drug dependency as secondary to his service-connected schizoaffective disorder, finding that there is no competent evidence showing a link between the two conditions.
- Dismissed
The appellant has withdrawn his appeal regarding the reopening and service connection for PTSD, anxiety, depression, alcoholism, insomnia, and drug dependency. As a result, the Board dismisses the appeal.
- Partly granted
The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen claims for service connection for depression, alcohol dependency, and drug dependency. The RO's previous decisions denying these claims are considered final.
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