The Board has determined that a more contemporaneous examination is needed to evaluate the current nature and severity of the Veteran's service-connected PTSD with alcohol abuse. Additionally, his claim for TDIU is inextricably intertwined with his PTSD claim and will be deferred at this time.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's symptoms have worsened since the last VA examination, and he has indicated that he experiences suicidal ideation.
- Claimed conditions
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) with alcohol abuse
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 31, 2020
- Citation
- 20022387
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 20022387.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol abuse is rated at 70 percent, which reflects the severity of his symptoms causing occupational and social impairment.
- Granted
The Veteran's Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is found to be the result of obesity caused by her service-connected PTSD, with alcohol abuse. The Board granted service connection for OSA as secondary to service-connected PTSD, with alcohol abuse.
- Denied
The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, as the evidence did not support a finding that his service-connected PTSD with alcohol abuse caused or contributed to his death.
- Granted
The Board granted a 100 percent disability rating for PTSD with alcohol abuse and special monthly compensation at the housebound rate.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.