The Veteran's son, S.W., is receiving benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA) and has a diagnosis of Autism Disorder with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. The Board notes that S.W. was diagnosed with autism at a young age and may have had an Individualized Education Plan (IEP). Additional development is needed to determine if these records are available and obtain them.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's son, S.W., needs assistance with daily care for the rest of his life due to autism and will be unable to support himself financially or function in a fully independent capacity.
- Claimed conditions
- Permanent incapacity for self-support prior to attaining the age of 18
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 30, 2020
- Citation
- 20008013
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
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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.