The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are inextricably intertwined with his claims for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder distinct from PTSD, as well as his claim for a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU). Therefore, these issues must be remanded to allow VA to obtain all available service treatment records and corroborate the Veteran's reported stressors. Additionally, the Veteran needs to have additional medical examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities.
The deciding factor: The claims are inextricably intertwined with the Veteran's PTSD claim due to the need for corroborated stressor development and further examination to establish service connection.
- Claimed conditions
- left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, cervical spine disability, right ankle disability, left ankle disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, chronic gastritis, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), an acquired psychiatric disability distinct from PTSD
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- June 22, 2018
- Citation
- 18113386
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 18113386.
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
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for service connection of bilateral hearing loss and a ruptured right ear drum was dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's right shoulder disability and migraines/chronic headaches are remanded for additional development due to insufficient opinions on the etiology of her conditions.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has expanded the scope of the claim to include any mental health disorder raised by the record and has remanded for additional development regarding service connection for left leg, ankle, and psychiatric disabilities.
- Denied
The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was noted upon entry into active duty service and did not increase in severity during service. Therefore, it denied his claim for service connection.
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.