The Veteran's claim to reopen previously denied claims for service connection for depression and PTSD has been granted. The Board finds that the evidence received since the January 2013 and February 2016 rating decisions relates to unestablished facts and raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim, thus reopening the claim. However, the Veteran's claim for service connection remains remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of his acquired psychiatric disorders.
The deciding factor: The Board found that new and material evidence had been submitted since the previous denial decisions, allowing the claim to be reopened. However, further examination is needed to determine if a personal assault during service occurred and its relationship to any diagnosed psychiatric conditions.
- Claimed conditions
- depression, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 12, 2022
- Citation
- 22028228
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 22028228.
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 remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including bipolar disorder and PTSD. The Veteran will be asked to provide additional medical records and undergo a VA examination.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, is being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding his alleged stressors.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case for additional development regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, migraine headaches, and PTSD due to additional development of records and examination.
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