The Board has determined that the effective date for service connection of major depressive disorder with panic disorder should be December 31, 1977, as this claim was received within one year of the appellant's separation from service.
The deciding factor: Due to administrative irregularities in the notification process, the March and April 1978 decisions were not final. The original January 1978 claim remains pending until it was subsequently granted in November 2009.
- Claimed conditions
- Major Depressive Disorder with Panic Disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 1, 2015
- Citation
- 1522927
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 1522927.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's major depressive disorder with panic disorder is granted service connection. The left shoulder and clavicle disability, as well as the cervical spine disability, are denied due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, Major Depressive Disorder with Panic Disorder, and Stomach Problems due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran needs a VA examination to determine if his psychiatric conditions are related to in-service personal assault and exposure to contaminants at Camp Lejeune.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development to determine his eligibility for TDIU and SMC based on the need of regular aid and attendance or housebound status, as well as to clarify whether he has been employed in a substantially gainful occupation.
- Denied
The Veteran's major depressive disorder with panic disorder is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board finds that this rating adequately reflects his disability.
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.