The Background of the Claim
Our client served honorably in the U.S. Army. After service, the client sought service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as adjustment disorder. The Board of Veterans’ Appeals denied that claim in November 2025.
We appealed that denial to the CAVC because the Board rubber-stamped a VA medical opinion and failed to consider the veteran’s actual treatment records.
The Specific Errors We Identified
The Board relied heavily on an August 2024 VA medical opinion. That examiner offered a negative nexus opinion, claiming “no treatment” supported the client’s symptoms during service.
However, the examiner ignored powerful favorable evidence in the record. We identified four overlooked items that directly contradicted the negative opinion:
First, a January 2023 record listed “depressive symptoms” as a risk factor. Second, that same record documented medium to high distress on psychosis and relationship subscales. Third, a May 2022 record noted psychiatric concerns. Fourth, a December 2022 record again reported depressive symptoms.
An adequate medical opinion must address the relevant evidence. Under Stefl v. Nicholson, an examiner cannot simply ignore materially favorable records. The Board erred by accepting an opinion built on an incomplete review.
Why This Outcome Matters
The Court’s order requires VA to obtain an addendum medical opinion on remand. That new opinion must address the May 2022, December 2022, and January 2023 records. This gives our client a fair chance to prove the connection between service and the current disability.
A remand does not guarantee benefits. Instead, it forces VA to follow the law and weigh all the evidence properly. The Board must now provide adequate reasons and bases for any future decision.
