The Veteran's psychiatric disorder, characterized as dysthymia, depression, and anxiety disorder, has been rated at 100 percent effective March 13, 2012. The Veteran's vascular headaches have been rated at 50 percent effective September 23, 2014. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for PTSD, special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance, and special monthly compensation based on homebound status.
The deciding factor: The Veteran’s psychiatric disorder is characterized by suicidal ideations and suicide attempts, inability to care for himself, social withdraw and isolation, panic attacks, anxiety, and almost nightly nightmares. The Veteran's vascular headaches are characterized by aggravation by light and sound, consistent use of medication for pain relief, and headaches occurring more than once a month.
- Claimed conditions
- dysthymia, depression, anxiety disorder, vascular headaches
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 100%
- Decision date
- June 15, 2018
- Citation
- 18111338
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 18111338.
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 Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension and increased rating for anxiety disorder have been denied. The Board found that there is no evidence of a current disability meeting the criteria for hypertension, and the Veteran's anxiety disorder does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining in-service psychiatric treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorder.
- Denied
The Veteran's depression was rated at 50 percent prior to July 1, 2016. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating due to occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. For TDIU, the Veteran had multiple service-connected disabilities but his education and work experience were sufficient for sedentary or light labor employment.
- Granted
The Veteran's depression was rated at 50 percent prior to September 27, 2017. From September 27, 2017, the rating for depression increased to 70 percent.
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