The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his acquired psychiatric disorder and lumbar spine disability have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 50 percent for the period prior to May 13, 2008, or for any periods on appeal.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's symptoms were generally mild and did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes. The Board found that his psychiatric disorder was characterized by avoidance and irritability but no deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relationships, judgment, thinking or mood. For the periods on appeal, he exhibited depressive symptoms but no suicidal ideation or other severe impairment.
- Claimed conditions
- Acquired Psychiatric Disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 28, 2015
- Citation
- 1541761
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 1541761.
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.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and any acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current mental health conditions and his military service.
- Denied
The claims for PTSD, an acquired psychiatric disorder, memory loss/memory problems, chronic fatigue, sleep difficulties/sleep disturbances, and sleep apnea have been denied. The claim for service connection for residuals of testicular denervation and varicosectomy has been granted.
- Granted
The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is granted a 70% rating, effective July 15, 2024. The Veteran's GERD remains at a 10% rating.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance due to service-connected TBI with PTSD is granted, effective September 6, 2018.
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