The Veteran's depressive disorder not otherwise specified is rated at 70 percent, effective January 25, 2011. The Board has also remanded the issues of a higher evaluation for lumbar spine disability and TDIU.
The deciding factor: The Veteran’s symptoms were found to be occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas due to symptoms such as near-continuous depression, impaired impulse control, including unprovoked anger and violence, and an inability to establish and maintain effective relationships. A higher rating of 100 percent is not warranted.
- Claimed conditions
- Depressive Disorder Not Otherwise Specified
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 70%
- Decision date
- June 18, 2018
- Citation
- 18111973
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 18111973.
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 an earlier effective date for service connection of depressive disorder was denied as there were no pending or unadjudicated claims prior to November 6, 2012.
- Dismissed
The Board has dismissed the appeals regarding entitlement to a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD, service connection for left knee disorder, right knee disorder, left ankle disorder, and right ankle degenerative arthritis.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and found that the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, are related to his military sexual trauma in service. Service connection was denied for depressive disorder not otherwise specified, substance abuse disorder, and substance induced depression.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral knee disabilities, and lumbar spine disability are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations.
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