The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disorders and her service connection claims. The Veteran is required to undergo a VA psychiatric examination to determine if she has any current psychiatric diagnoses, including Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, and whether these conditions are related to her military service. Additionally, the examiner must address whether her psychiatric disorders were caused or aggravated by her service-connected disabilities.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the medical opinions provided did not adequately address the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including Posttraumatic Stress Disorder) and other issues related to her military service. The examiner is required to provide a detailed review of the Veteran’s pertinent medical history, current complaints, and the nature and etiology of any diagnosed psychiatric disability.
- Claimed conditions
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Major Depressive Disorder
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 16, 2018
- Citation
- 18142118
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 18142118.
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 was granted a disability rating of 70 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder and major depressive disorder, effective October 24, 2017. The Board also granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for a psychiatric disability, diagnosed as major depressive disorder and adjustment disorder with depressed mood, based on the Veteran's reported symptoms during and since service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability due to the need for a more comprehensive medical examination and opinion.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to an unclear employment history and a pre-decisional duty to assist error.
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