The Board has determined that the Veteran's November 2013 claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability is a new claim rather than a motion to reopen. The case is being remanded for further development, including obtaining private or VA treatment records and conducting a medical opinion regarding the relationship between any diagnosed mental disorders and service.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the Veteran's November 2013 claim was a new claim based on his current diagnoses of memory impairment, PTSD, major depressive disorder, depression anxiety adjustment disorder, antisocial personality disorder, and psychosis NOS. The case is being remanded for further development to obtain treatment records and conduct a medical opinion.
- Claimed conditions
- Acquired psychiatric disability, Memory impairment (claimed as mental memory), Antisocial personality disorder, Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), Major depressive disorder, Depression anxiety adjustment disorder
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 17, 2018
- Citation
- 18127432
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 18127432.
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 service-connected major depressive disorder does not render him in need of regular aid and attendance or confined to his home, thus SMC based on housebound status and/or need for regular aid and attendance is denied.
- Granted
The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) at the (o) rate and SMC at the (r)(2) rate, effective January 19, 2025. The decision finds that the Veteran's service-connected conditions warrant these awards due to his need for aid and attendance.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal regarding attorney fees for past-due benefits awarded in a June 2021 rating decision is dismissed as moot due to the waiver of rights by R.V.C.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder, as secondary to his already service-connected hearing loss and tinnitus.
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