The Veteran's appeal for a higher evaluation of his service-connected other specified depressive disorder with other specified stressor related disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including scheduling an examination and obtaining medical opinions.
The deciding factor: The Board found that reasonable efforts were not made to schedule an in-person or telehealth examination due to the Veteran's incarceration and pandemic-related issues, leading to inadequate VA opinions. The Board determined this was a pre-decisional error and ordered further development.
- Claimed conditions
- other specified depressive disorder, other specified stressor related disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 16, 2024
- Citation
- A24047313
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 A24047313.
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 for other specified depressive disorder, PTSD, anxiety, depression, nightmares, and sleep issues was dismissed as untimely.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for service connection on multiple conditions have been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran during the appeal process.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain a new VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric conditions, including whether they are caused by active service or his service-connected disabilities.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating greater than 70 percent prior to August 18, 2025, for service-connected PTSD was withdrawn by the Veteran before a decision could be made.
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