The Board has found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is related to his service-connected conditions, but an additional VA examination is needed to address whether the condition is aggravated by these service-connected conditions.
The deciding factor: The examiner needs to provide a clear opinion on whether the acquired psychiatric disorder is due to or worsened by the service-connected conditions.
- Claimed conditions
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder, Unspecified depressive disorder with anxious distress, Alcohol use disorder, severe, Other specified personality disorder
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 10, 2024
- Citation
- A24054486
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 A24054486.
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 Board has granted an earlier effective date of March 29, 2011 for service connection of PTSD with other specified personality disorder. The Veteran's claim was reopened due to new and material evidence submitted within one year of the denial.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of 70 percent for unspecified depressive disorder with anxious distress is granted, effective December 21, 2024. The claim for service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is denied.
- Granted
The Veteran's rating for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity was restored to 20 percent, effective February 24, 2020. The Veteran's depressive disorder and scars were all granted increased ratings.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and benefits related to his PTSD are being remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. Specifically, the AOJ should obtain records from the Vet Center.
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