Veterans’ RightsAn independent resource for veterans
← All decisions
Denied

The veteran's major depression is rated at 30 percent, which does not meet the criteria for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent. The RO also denied entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The deciding factor: The veteran's major depression did not result in considerable impairment in his ability to establish or maintain effective relationships, nor did it cause reliability, flexibility and efficiency levels to be so reduced as to result in considerable industrial impairment. The current rating of 30 percent is the highest available under the applicable diagnostic code.

Claimed conditions
major depression
How they argued it
Direct service connection
Exposure basis
None
Rating assigned
30%
Decision date
July 13, 2005
Citation
0519002

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 0519002.

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.