The Board has decided to remand the case due to a pre-decisional error in not obtaining an examination that addressed all relevant diagnoses, including prior psychiatric conditions. The Veteran is seeking service connection for any mental health condition and was diagnosed with alcohol use disorder and TBI. The VA examiner's opinion on the direct relationship between the acquired psychiatric disabilities and service is inadequate.
The deciding factor: The Board found the VA examination reports and opinions inadequate as they failed to fully address all prior psychiatric diagnoses of record, including PTSD which was not diagnosed but indicated in the evidence of record.
- Claimed conditions
- alcohol use disorder, PTSD (not diagnosed)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- April 2, 2026
- Citation
- A26030227
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 A26030227.
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
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, along with alcohol use disorder, has been granted a 100% evaluation effective from April 8, 2021. The disability causes total occupational and social impairment.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, major depression, generalized anxiety disorder, insomnia and alcohol use disorder caused his sleep apnea.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and alcohol use disorder, finding that there is no current diagnosis of PTSD and that the Veteran's only diagnosed condition is alcohol use disorder. The Board also found that service connection cannot be granted due to willful misconduct.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for PTSD and alcohol use disorder due to an error in notifying the Veteran of his right to a pre-decisional hearing before the AOJ.
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