The VA determined that the veteran's mood disorder did not meet criteria for a higher initial rating prior to January 10, 2007.
The deciding factor: The evidence showed occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas as of October 4, 2006, but no total occupational and social impairment existed at any time since the effective date of his initial grant (July 17, 2000).
- Claimed conditions
- Mood Disorder (not otherwise specified)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- January 17, 2008
- Citation
- 0802023
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 0802023.
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: Granted
The Veteran's mood disorder is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that this rating is appropriate given his symptoms. The appeal for increased ratings on other issues is granted.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Veteran's mood disorder, diagnosed as a mood disorder not otherwise specified (anxiety and depression) with schizoid personality disorder, was granted an initial evaluation of 50% effective December 13, 2010. The RO also granted an earlier effective date of August 20, 2003 for the grant of service connection.
- Whole decision: Denied
The VA determined that the veteran's psychiatric disorders, including bipolar disorder and mood disorder, do not meet the criteria for a permanent and total disability evaluation for pension purposes.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar myositis, psychoneurosis and conversion hysteria, residuals of shrapnel wounds of the left thigh and pelvis with retained foreign bodies and scars, and residuals of shell fragment wounds of the right thigh and left leg. The veteran was also denied entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.
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