The Veteran's claim for an initial rating of more than 30 percent since March 28, 1997, for persistent depressive disorder and unspecified anxiety disorder is remanded. The issue of entitlement to TDIU is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the increased rating claim.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's claims are inextricably intertwined due to the interplay between PTSD and his other mental health conditions, which affects both service connection for PTSD and the initial rating for persistent depressive disorder and unspecified anxiety disorder.
- Claimed conditions
- Acne, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Persistent Depressive Disorder and Unspecified Anxiety Disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- October 18, 2018
- Citation
- 18143238
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 18143238.
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 Board denied an initial disability rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD, finding the appellant's symptoms did not more closely approximate occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD due to an inadequate medical opinion.
- Granted
The Board granted a disability rating of 70 percent for PTSD and a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.
- Granted
The Board granted an effective date of February 21, 2007, for the award of service connection for PTSD and major depressive disorder with anxious distress.
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