The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and examination, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and verifying any in-service stressors. The Veteran will be scheduled for a VA mental disorders examination to determine if he meets the DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for PTSD and whether his current psychiatric disability is related to service.
The deciding factor: The Board found that additional information was needed regarding the Veteran's in-service stressors and treatment records, as well as an opinion on the relationship between any diagnosed psychiatric disorder and service.
- Claimed conditions
- PTSD (Posttraumatic Stress Disorder)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 26, 2019
- Citation
- 19132908
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.
- Denied
The Board denied an earlier effective date for the award of special monthly compensation (SMC) under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s) and 38 C.F.R. § 3.350(i), as the Veteran did not meet the criteria for SMC based on his service-connected disabilities prior to October 4, 2011.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, effective from the date of the February 2025 rating decision.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a medical examination to determine if the Veteran's current neck strain is related to his in-service activities.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD due to an inadequate medical opinion.
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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.