The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of any diagnosed psychological disorders and whether HIV was caused or aggravated by such disabilities.
The deciding factor: Further examination is needed to determine if any psychiatric disorder clearly and unmistakably preexisted service and was not permanently aggravated during service. Additionally, a medical opinion is required on whether HIV was caused or aggravated by the diagnosed disability.
- Claimed conditions
- mood disorder, not otherwise specified, polysubstance dependence, human immunodeficiency virus
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- January 11, 2018
- Citation
- 1802166
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1802166.
What this means for you
A remand sends an issue back for more development, often a new examination or missing records. It does not award the benefit or decide the final outcome. The original decision explains the additional work ordered.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The appeal was dismissed due to the Veteran's death while it was pending.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran was granted an initial rating of 70 percent for his acquired psychiatric disability and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The veteran's claim for a higher rating for major depressive disorder was denied, but they were granted total disability based on individual unemployability. The claim for service connection for a sleep disorder was remanded.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The veteran's request for a higher rating for left knee osteoarthritis was denied. The claim for service connection for polysubstance dependence and related mental health conditions was remanded for further evaluation.
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