The Veteran's claim for PCAFC benefits was remanded due to inadequate notice and the need for clarification of which criteria were unmet. The Board found that his combined rating is more than 70 percent, but the decisions did not clearly indicate which requirements were met or unmet.
The deciding factor: The decision lacked clear indication of which service-connected conditions meet the eligibility criteria for PCAFC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1720G(a)(2)(C)(ii)-(iii).
- Claimed conditions
- post-operative lumbar vertebrae number four (L4) to L5, and L5 to sacral vertebra number one (S1) herniated nucleus pulposus, right and left lower extremity radiculopathy with numbness in the feet, right and left lower extremity femoral nerve radiculopathy, unspecified depressive disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 100%
- Decision date
- December 15, 2023
- Citation
- A23036156
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 A23036156.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's anxiety and depressive disorders were rated at a 70 percent disability rating effective May 6, 2015.,Effective May 6, 2015, the Veteran was granted an earlier effective date for DEA benefits.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's current unspecified depressive disorder is related to his service-connected disabilities, and thus grants service connection for this condition.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected unspecified depressive disorder with insomnia disorder is rated at 30 percent, and the Board has determined that this rating is not sufficient to reflect his disability picture.
- Partly granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for unspecified depressive disorder is granted, while the claim for PTSD remains denied due to lack of credible supporting evidence and in-service stressor confirmation.
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