The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for further development regarding the cause of death, specifically focusing on whether the service-connected PTSD contributed substantially or materially to the Veteran's death.
The deciding factor: The decision is based on the need for an updated medical opinion considering the post-mortem review of the claims file and the complexity of attributing causation in such cases.
- Claimed conditions
- PTSD with generalized anxiety, metastatic squamous cell cancer of the larynx, renal failure, cerebrovascular event
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 100%
- Decision date
- January 31, 2019
- Citation
- 19107646
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 remands the claim for a VA medical opinion to determine if the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including medications taken therefor, were a substantial or contributing factor in his death.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including renal failure, sleep apnea, erectile dysfunction, blackout spells, swelling of the eyelids, diminished eyesight, sleep deprivation, and bladder incontinence. The Board also denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for left ankle tendonitis associated with residual scar.
- Dismissed
The appeal regarding service connection for renal failure was dismissed because the claim was fully granted by a VA rating decision, which resulted in the Veteran being awarded service connection for kidney transplant status-post acute renal failure.
- Dismissed
The appeal regarding service connection for renal failure was dismissed because the claim was fully granted by a VA rating decision, which resulted in the Veteran being awarded service connection for kidney transplant status-post acute renal failure.
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This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.