The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted.,The issue of an effective date earlier than May 27, 2015 for the grant of a 30 percent rating for depression has been withdrawn by her representative.,The Veteran’s increased ratings for depression and bilateral ankle disabilities are remanded for further evaluation.,The Veteran's increased ratings for arthropathy right ankle due to osteochondritis dissecans of the talar dome status post ankle surgeries and arthropathy left ankle due to osteochondritis dissecans of the talar dome status post ankle surgeries are also remanded.
The deciding factor: The Veteran meets the threshold schedular requirements for a TDIU based on her service-connected disabilities.,The representative withdrew the issue of an effective date earlier than May 27, 2015 for the grant of a 30 percent rating for depression.,Further evaluation is needed to determine if the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render her unemployable and to assess the severity of her depression.,Further evaluation is needed to determine the current severity of the Veteran’s arthropathy right ankle due to osteochondritis dissecans of the talar dome status post ankle surgeries and arthropathy left ankle due to osteochondritis dissecans of the talar dome status post ankle surgeries.
- Claimed conditions
- depression, arthropathy right ankle due to osteochondritis dissecans of the talar dome status post ankle surgeries, arthropathy left ankle due to osteochondritis dissecans of the talar dome status post ankle surgeries
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 24, 2019
- Citation
- 19174252
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 19174252.
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.
- 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.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals were dismissed due to the death of the appellant. The issues related to service connection for various conditions and disability ratings.
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