The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to an initial disability rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD, unspecified anxiety disorder, and alcohol use disorder; separately rated disabilities for these conditions; and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran is also required to undergo another VA psychiatric examination.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the Veteran's new VA examination will address which of his psychiatric symptoms can be specifically attributed to each of the distinct psychiatric disabilities, and the extent to which these symptoms affect his ability to work, thus inextricably intertwining with the issues of an increased initial disability rating for PTSD with unspecified anxiety disorder and alcohol abuse disorder.
- Claimed conditions
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Anxiety Disorder, Alcohol Abuse Disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 26, 2019
- Citation
- 19189546
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 19189546.
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 rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD due to an inadequate medical opinion.
- Granted
The Board granted an effective date of February 21, 2007, for the award of service connection for PTSD and major depressive disorder with anxious distress.
- Granted
The Board granted a rating of 70 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injury (TBI), as the Veteran's symptoms most nearly approximated occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.
- Granted
The Board granted a disability rating of 70 percent for PTSD and a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.
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