The Board has decided to remand the cases of entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for mood disorder with anxiety and depression, as well as the claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU). This is because VA did not fully comply with its duty to assist the Veteran by scheduling him for a VA examination. The cases are being remanded to allow for further development.
The deciding factor: VA failed to provide proper notice and assistance in scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination, which was necessary to determine his current symptomatology related to his service-connected mood disorder with anxiety and depression.
- Claimed conditions
- mood disorder with anxiety and depression
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 1, 2020
- Citation
- 20037246
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 20037246.
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 Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include a mood disorder with anxiety and depression, as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected tinnitus.
- Granted
The Veteran's mood disorder with anxiety and depression was initially rated at 10 percent prior to September 18, 2013. From September 18, 2013, the rating was increased to 30 percent.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a travel Board hearing.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected mood disorder with anxiety and depression, low back sprain, right elbow strain, left elbow strain, and neck ligament sprain are being remanded to the RO for further development including additional VA examinations.
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