The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his depressive disorder, lumbosacral strain with IVDS, and sciatic radiculopathy have been remanded by the Board due to procedural issues. The initial evaluation for unspecified depressive disorder remains denied.
The deciding factor: The severity, frequency, and duration of the Veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating.
- Claimed conditions
- Unspecified depressive disorder with anxious distress
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 17, 2026
- Citation
- A26023648
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 A26023648.
What this means for you
A remand sends an issue back for more development, often a new examination or missing records. It does not award the benefit or decide the final outcome. The original decision explains the additional work ordered.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of 70 percent for unspecified depressive disorder with anxious distress is granted, effective December 21, 2024. The claim for service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is denied.
- Granted
The Veteran's rating for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity was restored to 20 percent, effective February 24, 2020. The Veteran's depressive disorder and scars were all granted increased ratings.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and benefits related to his PTSD are being remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. Specifically, the AOJ should obtain records from the Vet Center.
- Granted
The Veteran's service connection for unspecified depressive disorder with anxious distress was initially severed in April 2024, but the Board has now granted restoration of this condition based on new evidence that supports its relationship to military service.
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