The Veteran's claims for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, other than major depressive disorder (MDD), to include posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD); increased ratings for right ankle and knee disorders; and entitlement to a total disability rating based upon unemployability due to service-connected disabilities are being remanded as the Board finds that there is insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed psychiatric condition, right ankle and knee disorders, and the occurrence of his reported witnessing of a fellow Marine's death during training.
The deciding factor: The Board finds that the current medical records do not provide sufficient information to determine whether the Veteran has an acquired psychiatric disorder other than MDD, to include PTSD; if so, whether it is separate from MDD/depressive disorder and related to service. The right ankle and knee examinations are also outdated and a new examination is needed.
- Claimed conditions
- Acquired psychiatric disorder other than major depressive disorder (MDD), to include posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), Right ankle disorder, Right knee disorder
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 26, 2022
- Citation
- 22031162
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 22031162.
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 claims for service connection and TDIU due to duty to assist errors that occurred prior to the rating decision on appeal. The Veteran's right knee disorder is being remanded for an addendum opinion regarding its etiology.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to an error in notifying the Veteran of his right to a hearing, and not because of any issues with service connection.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's right ankle disorder, finding that it was not shown to be related to his active duty service and did not meet the criteria for secondary service connection due to his left ankle disability.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a right knee disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to insufficient evidence in the record.
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