The Board has determined that the AOJ's failure to have a complete record, including all documents and determinations, contained in the electronic file constitutes a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The claim must be remanded for further development.
The deciding factor: The AOJ did not seek clarifying information from either the appellant or from the VA Regional General Counsel's Office as to whether the appellant is an interested party and eligible to receive monetary benefits for the burial of her significant other, the Veteran.
- Claimed conditions
- Not specified in this decision
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- July 16, 2024
- Citation
- A24038503
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 A24038503.
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
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
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