Veterans’ RightsAn independent resource for veterans
← All decisions
Denied

The Board found that the effective date for the grant of service connection and a 50 percent disability evaluation for mood disorder should be May 6, 1998, not prior to it.

The deciding factor: The veteran's entitlement to service connection arose in 1996 when he underwent surgery for his visual problems. The claim was submitted on May 6, 1998, which is the later of the two dates (earliest date of entitlement and date of receipt).

Claimed conditions
Mood Disorder
How they argued it
Reopened with new and material evidence
Exposure basis
None
Rating assigned
50%
Decision date
July 30, 2004
Citation
0420977

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 0420977.

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.

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.