The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for depressive disorder has been denied. The Board found that the severity, frequency, and duration of his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating.,Service connection for kidney disease and gout have both been remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their relationship to service-connected coronary artery disease.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's depressive disorder was rated at 70 percent, which is less severe than the required level of impairment for a 100 percent rating. The symptoms did not meet the criteria for total occupational and social impairment.,Medical opinions are needed to determine if the Veteran’s kidney disease and gout are aggravated by or proximately due to his service-connected coronary artery disease.
- Claimed conditions
- Depressive Disorder, Kidney Disease, Gout
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 11, 2021
- Citation
- 21001805
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 21001805.
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.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for service connection for PTSD has been dismissed as the claim was granted and effective from February 22, 2023.
- Granted
The Veteran's psychiatric disorder, specifically depressive disorder, is rated at 70 percent effective from August 3, 2021. The claim for a higher rating remains denied.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's service-connected Depressive Disorder is causing him to require regular assistance in keeping himself clean and presentable, which may qualify him for special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance. The case is being remanded to schedule a VA examination to assess this issue.
- Granted
The Veteran's depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent, effective from the date of service connection (January 23, 2020), due to occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.
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