The VA denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for depressive neurosis and service connection for diabetes mellitus. The decision found that there was no evidence of a higher rating prior to October 17, 1997 and insufficient evidence linking current diabetes mellitus to active service.
The deciding factor: The VA determined that the veteran's claims were not supported by sufficient medical evidence or a clear link between his conditions and service.
- Claimed conditions
- Depressive Neurosis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- May 3, 2002
- Citation
- 0204096
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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 0204096.
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: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for depressive neurosis, finding that his symptoms did not meet or approximate the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent prior to February 28, 2018, and in excess of 50 percent thereafter.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied earlier effective dates for service connection, TDIU, and DEA benefits due to the Veteran's psychiatric disability. The effective date of service connection was set at August 6, 2008.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have been rated at the highest possible level (100%) for the entire appeal period, from November 24, 1981 to June 15, 2003.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's PTSD and depressive neurosis are already service-connected, but his skull fracture and scarring from a gunshot wound are not rated higher than the current 10 percent. The skull fracture does not meet criteria for a compensable rating under Diagnostic Code 5296, while the scarring is evaluated at 10 percent based on one characteristic of disfigurement.
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