The Board remands the claim for an initial compensable rating for adjustment disorder with depressed mood due to a need for a new VA examination given the Veteran's reported worsening symptoms since his last evaluation.
The deciding factor: The decision was based on the need for a more recent and thorough medical examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's condition, as he has reported worsening symptoms since his last evaluation in September 2019.
- Claimed conditions
- adjustment disorder with depressed mood
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 25, 2025
- Citation
- A25038314
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.
- Denied
The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating.
- Denied
The Board denied a rating in excess of 50 percent prior to October 16, 2023, and 70 percent thereafter for adjustment disorder with depressed mood. The claim for a compensable rating for hypothyroidism was remanded.
- Partly granted
The Board granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, but denied an increased disability rating for the Veteran's herniated nucleus pulposus with post-traumatic arthritis of the lumbar spine.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include adjustment disorder with depressed mood and alcohol use disorder, and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), but denied service connection for sleep disturbances. The claims for multiple sclerosis, left leg varicose veins, and hypertension were remanded.
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