The Board has decided to remand the case due to errors in obtaining all available VA treatment records and seeking medical opinions regarding whether service-connected disabilities contributed to the Veteran's death.
The deciding factor: There were pre-decisional errors in not having obtained all available VA treatment records and in failing to seek a medical opinion on the contribution of service-connected disabilities to the Veteran's death.
- Claimed conditions
- major depressive disorder, duodenal ulcer and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), bilateral tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, laparotomy scar associated with duodenal ulcer and GERD, laparotomy scars
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- July 25, 2024
- Citation
- A24040956
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 A24040956.
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.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for service connection of bilateral hearing loss and a ruptured right ear drum was dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.
- 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.
- Denied
The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was noted upon entry into active duty service and did not increase in severity during service. Therefore, it denied his claim for service connection.
- 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.
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