The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of February 21, 2003 for a 30 percent evaluation for his service-connected major depression with psychotic features. The decision found that there was no evidence of a factually ascertainable increase in disability prior to February 21, 2003.
The deciding factor: There is no evidence of a factually ascertainable increase in disability prior to February 21, 2003 for the veteran's service-connected major depression with psychotic features.
- Claimed conditions
- Major Depression with Psychotic Features
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- November 20, 2008
- Citation
- 0840016
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 0840016.
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: Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the proposal to reduce the rating for PTSD and major depression with psychotic features from 100 percent to 70 percent.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to missing correspondence and missed examination. The Veteran will be asked again to submit information corroborating a sexual or personal assault during service, and he will be scheduled for a VA psychiatric examination.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for major depression with psychotic features was reopened and granted effective September 10, 1980.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has determined that the veteran's major depression with psychotic features is secondary to his service-connected cervical spine and headache disabilities, which aggravated his psychiatric condition. As a result, the claim for service connection for this condition as accrued benefits purposes is granted.
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