The Board has decided to remand the case for further examination and review of medical records, as well as a new VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disorders.
The deciding factor: The decision is based on insufficient evidence to resolve the complex factual and legal questions raised by the severance of service connection.
- Claimed conditions
- Pathological Gambling, Depressive Disorder Not Otherwise Specified
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 1, 2019
- Citation
- 19182863
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 has remanded the case due to new evidence showing additional periods of service on the USS Aeolus during which the Veteran's claimed stressor may have occurred. The Veteran also has been diagnosed with depressive disorder and severe recurrent major depressive disorder, and chronic pain from his service-connected bilateral ankle disability affects his life.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected depressive disorder has not resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, so he is not entitled to a higher rating than the current 30 percent.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with heroin abuse in full remission and depressive disorder not otherwise specified is granted a 100 percent rating, representing total social and occupational impairment.
- Remanded (sent back)
The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is being remanded due to the submission of new and material evidence. The Veteran's current diagnoses include depressive disorder not otherwise specified and adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depression, which may be related to service.
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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.