The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development of evidence and the need for an addendum opinion regarding service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death. The issues of DIC benefits and burial benefits are inextricably intertwined.
The deciding factor: The decision is based on the need for additional medical opinions to address the relationship between the Veteran's diagnosed mental health disorders and his active service, as well as the potential impact on his suicide by self-inflicted gunshot wound.
- Claimed conditions
- alcohol dependence, mental health disorders
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 8, 2021
- Citation
- 21068023
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 21068023.
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 decided to remand the case due to a duty-to-assist error, and will need to obtain an opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability with alcohol dependence.
- Denied
The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, anxiety, depression, alcohol dependence, and anger issues. The denial is based on a lack of verified stressor in service linking these conditions to service, as well as a lack of medical nexus connecting them to service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include stress disorder, PTSD, or mental health disorders, due to a need for further evidence and medical opinion.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for alcohol dependence and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, both secondary to service-connected conditions.
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