The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder and a psychiatric disorder due to new evidence submitted since the final denial of these claims. The claim for an effective date prior to November 29, 2012, for nonservice-connected disability pension benefits is also remanded.,A VA examination was conducted for both conditions but did not address all diagnoses of record and failed to adequately explain why a fall in service could not cause the current disorders.
The deciding factor: The new evidence does not provide sufficient information to establish a clear connection between the Veteran's current back disorder or psychiatric condition and his military service.
- Claimed conditions
- {"condition_name":"Back Disorder"}, {"condition_name":"Psychiatric Disorder"}
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 24, 2019
- Citation
- 19105942
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.
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The Board remands the claim for service connection for tinnitus to correct a duty to assist error, as the Veteran's lay statements regarding onset and continuity of symptoms were not adequately considered in the previous decision.
- Dismissed
The appeal for service connection for a left-hand condition is dismissed as the Veteran was granted service connection for mononeuropathy to the left hand fourth finger with parasthesia of skin in an October 2025 rating decision.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for unspecified anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder to obtain an adequate medical opinion regarding their etiology.
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