The Board remands the claims for an initial rating greater than 30 percent for unspecified anxiety disorder and a rating greater than 50 percent from April 3, 2006, to November 23, 2022, due to outstanding records and need for clarification on related conditions.
The deciding factor: The remand is necessary to secure additional medical evidence and clarify the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability and other diagnosed conditions, as well as any alcohol use disorder that may be secondary or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities.
- Claimed conditions
- unspecified anxiety disorder, somatic symptom disorder, pain disorder with a psychological factor, depression, mixed anxiety and depressive disorder, major depressive disorder, a mood disorder, panic disorder, adjustment disorder, dysthymic disorder with mild anxiety symptoms
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 19, 2024
- Citation
- 24033181
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 remands the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to ensure a proper examination and etiology opinion are provided.
- Dismissed
The claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for major depressive disorder is dismissed as moot because the earliest effective date was granted during the pendency of this appeal.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for unspecified anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder to obtain an adequate medical opinion regarding their etiology.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for multiple conditions, including an acquired psychiatric disorder, sleep apnea, hypertension, and various musculoskeletal and skin disabilities.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.