The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, secondary to service-connected spinal stenosis with spondylolisthesis, and entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to insufficient evidence regarding whether any of the previously diagnosed psychiatric disorders are related to the service-connected spinal stenosis.
The deciding factor: The July 2022 VA examiner did not consider previous diagnoses made during the appeal period, and an addendum opinion is needed to address these prior diagnoses and their relation to the service-connected condition.
- Claimed conditions
- dysthymic disorder, depression, depressive disorder not otherwise specified, depressive disorder due to another medical condition
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 15, 2022
- Citation
- 22052480
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 22052480.
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 for additional development, including obtaining in-service psychiatric treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorder.
- Denied
The Veteran's depression was rated at 50 percent prior to July 1, 2016. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating due to occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. For TDIU, the Veteran had multiple service-connected disabilities but his education and work experience were sufficient for sedentary or light labor employment.
- Granted
The Veteran's depression was rated at 50 percent prior to September 27, 2017. From September 27, 2017, the rating for depression increased to 70 percent.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals were dismissed due to the death of the appellant. The issues related to service connection for various conditions and disability ratings.
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