The Veteran's claim for a rating greater than 70 percent for major depression and anxiety disorder with insomnia is denied. The appeal for SMC based on the need for aid and attendance is dismissed as moot. The service connection claim for a neck disability is remanded due to a duty to assist error.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's symptoms do not meet or more closely approximate the criteria for a higher rating, and his claim for SMC was previously granted. The service connection claim requires additional medical opinion regarding causation of the neck disability.
- Claimed conditions
- Major depression, Anxiety disorder with insomnia
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- February 24, 2026
- Citation
- A26016505
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation A26016505.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for major depression, finding that it is related to events of service. The evidence received since the prior denial supports this determination.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder. The claim will be reconsidered with a new medical opinion.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date, a higher disability rating, and TDIU have all been denied. The Board found that the current effective date is appropriate and that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating or TDIU.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Board has dismissed the appeal of the proposed reduction in disability rating for major depression with generalized anxiety and insomnia disorder from 70 percent to 50 percent because it was not a final decision.
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