The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his service-connected psychiatric disabilities is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.
The deciding factor: The Veteran has suggested worsening disability since the last VA examination, and additional evidence of record indicates other mental health symptoms. A new examination is needed to properly rate his conditions.
- Claimed conditions
- other trauma and stressor related disorder, unspecified sleep disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 25, 2018
- Citation
- 18144254
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 18144254.
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 for a higher disability rating for his psychiatric disorder, which is currently rated at 50 percent, has been granted. The severity, frequency, and duration of the Veteran's symptoms more closely approximate the level required for a 70 percent rating.
- Granted
An increased rating of 70 percent for 'other trauma and stressor related disorder' with unspecified depressive disorder and substance use disorder is granted, effective March 1, 2013. The Veteran's service-connected disability has caused total occupational and social impairment.
- Granted
The Veteran's service connection for IBS and an initial increased rating of 50 percent for other trauma and stressor related disorder are both granted.
- Dismissed
The Board dismissed the appeal of the February 2025 rating decision because it was a deferral and not a final decision that could be appealed.
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