The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a VA psychiatric examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected pain disorder and its impact on his ability to work.
The deciding factor: There is an assertion of worsening symptomatology since the last VA examination, warranting further evaluation.
- Claimed conditions
- pain disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 15, 2020
- Citation
- 20003692
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 vacated its previous decision denying a higher rating for the veteran's pain disorder due to procedural errors. The case was remanded for further review.
- Partly granted
The Board granted an earlier effective date of November 30, 2014, for the assignment of a 70 percent disability rating and TDIU, but denied an increased rating in excess of 70 percent for the pain disorder.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected pain disorder is currently rated at 70 percent from November 30, 2015 to January 8, 2020. The Board denied a rating in excess of 70 percent for the disability during this period.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, effective from the date of the February 2025 rating decision.
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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.