The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining a new medical opinion and possibly scheduling an examination.
The deciding factor: The previous July 2017 opinion did not address whether the Veteran has a TBI diagnosis or explain how tobacco use, polysubstance abuse, and PTSD make it less likely that his current conditions are related to service. The Board requires another opinion to provide a reasoned medical explanation connecting the two.
- Claimed conditions
- traumatic brain injury, post-concussion syndrome
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 6, 2018
- Citation
- 1813964
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 1813964.
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 determined that additional development is needed for the claims on appeal, including obtaining any outstanding treatment records and scheduling VA examinations to assess the current severity of service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's representative also requested reevaluation of his service-connected disabilities.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal prior to the Board making a decision.
- Dismissed
The appeal has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death during the pendency of the appeal.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has granted service connection for moderate persistent reactive airway disease without complication. The claims for sleep apnea, hypertension (high blood pressure), and traumatic brain injury are remanded due to the failure to obtain relevant VA treatment records.
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.