The Board has granted the petition to reopen the claim for service connection for major depressive disorder. The issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is remanded due to insufficient evidence and need for a VA opinion.
The deciding factor: New evidence received since the last denial, including updated VAMC records and SSA records, raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim for service connection for major depressive disorder. However, further efforts are needed to obtain missing STRs regarding in-service psychiatric treatment in Korea. A VA opinion is required to address the relationship between any diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorders and active service.
- Claimed conditions
- major depressive disorder, mood disorder NOS, cognitive disorder NOS, paranoid disorder, PTSD
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- May 6, 2023
- Citation
- 23026733
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 23026733.
What this means for you
A remand sends an issue back for more development, often a new examination or missing records. It does not award the benefit or decide the final outcome. The original decision explains the additional work ordered.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for specially-adapted housing assistance and a special home adaptation grant was denied because he does not meet the criteria for either benefit based on his service-connected disabilities.
- 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.
- Partly granted
The Board has not made a final determination on the claims of service connection for inguinal hernia, PTSD, joint pain, fibromyalgia, left knee disability, right knee disability, tinnitus, chronic fatigue syndrome, respiratory disability, sleep disorder, IBS, and headaches. The claims are remanded to obtain additional evidence and determine if these conditions are related to service.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD was granted with an initial evaluation of 50 percent, effective September 24, 2007. The appeal regarding the heart condition and sleep disorder is denied. The Veteran's hearing loss prior to August 24, 2015, warrants a 20 percent rating.
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