The Veteran's claims for PTSD, anxiety, depression, right shoulder disability, and right wrist disability are remanded due to the submission of new evidence that raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims. The Board finds insufficient competent medical evidence to adjudicate the Veteran's claim for service connection for his acquired psychiatric disorders and right shoulder and right wrist disabilities.
The deciding factor: The submitted new evidence, including testimony at the Board hearing, indicates a possible nexus between the Veteran's current mental health conditions and service, as well as a possible relationship between his right shoulder and right wrist disabilities and service. The medical records are insufficient to make a decision on these claims without further examination.
- Claimed conditions
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Anxiety, Depression, Right Shoulder Disability, Right Wrist Disability
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 27, 2024
- Citation
- 24009298
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 24009298.
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 claim for service connection for PTSD is granted as the evidence shows a current diagnosis of PTSD, an in-service stressor, and a medical link between the two.
- Denied
The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50% since March 23, 2004. The Board found that a higher rating is not warranted prior to February 15, 2005 due to the severity of his symptoms and their impact on his social and occupational functioning.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and any acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current mental health conditions and his military service.
- Granted
The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 70% disability rating. The Veteran also met the criteria for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.
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