The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for major depressive disorder is remanded due to the need for an updated VA examination.,The Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for his 70 percent rating for major depressive disorder is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the first issue. An update on the severity of his condition between January 27, 2013 and January 27, 2014 is needed.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the first issue. An update on the severity of his condition between January 27, 2013 and January 27, 2014 is needed.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's disability rating for major depressive disorder has not been updated since August 2014, and there are indications that his symptoms have changed. An updated VA examination is required to determine the current severity of his condition.
- Claimed conditions
- Major Depressive Disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 3, 2018
- Citation
- 18140519
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 18140519.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran was granted a disability rating of 70 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder and major depressive disorder, effective October 24, 2017. The Board also granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for a psychiatric disability, diagnosed as major depressive disorder and adjustment disorder with depressed mood, based on the Veteran's reported symptoms during and since service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability due to the need for a more comprehensive medical examination and opinion.
- Denied
The Board denied an initial disability rating in excess of 50 percent for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder prior to September 10, 2022, and in excess of 70 percent thereafter.
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