The Board has remanded the claim due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disabilities, including paranoid schizophrenia, major depressive disorder, and polysubstance abuse. The AOJ is instructed to obtain additional records and arrange for an addendum opinion from a mental health professional.
The deciding factor: Insufficient medical opinions were provided by the VA examiner regarding the etiology of the Veteran's diagnosed psychiatric disorders.
- Claimed conditions
- paranoid schizophrenia, major depressive disorder (MDD), polysubstance abuse
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- July 9, 2018
- Citation
- 18116791
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 18116791.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim of service connection for dizziness, TBI, MDD, and anxiety disorder is granted as new evidence has been received. The claims are remanded to obtain VA examinations.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that additional development is needed to correct pre-decisional duty to assist errors and remands the case for further action on service connection and TDIU issues.
- Granted
The Veteran's major depressive disorder is related to her military service, and the Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as the appellant, through his representative, withdrew the appeal prior to a decision being made.
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