The Board has denied the appellant's claims for an increased rating for his service-connected mental disorder and for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to this condition. The current level of impairment is considered to be no more than moderate, with occasional social and industrial impairment.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not show that the appellant’s symptoms are severe enough to warrant a higher rating under the applicable VA rating criteria for mental disorders.
- Claimed conditions
- mental disorder, anxiety neurosis, major depression with an anxiety disorder, dysthymic disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- March 25, 2002
- Citation
- 0202776
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 0202776.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Dismissed
The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection of a mental disorder, sleep apnea, and migraine headache disability due to untimely filing of the Notice of Disagreement (NOD).
- Dismissed
The Board dismissed the appeal because the service connection for a mental disorder was granted, which is considered a greater benefit and moots the issue of treatment eligibility.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew their appeal for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder.
- Granted
The Veteran's dysthymic disorder disability was productive of total social and occupational impairment throughout the claim period, warranting a 100 percent disability rating.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.