The Veteran's anxiety disorder with depressive disorder has been rated at 30 percent, and the RO reduced his rating for left sided L5-S1 herniated nucleus pulposus from 40 to 10 percent. The reduction was upheld as it occurred within five years of the initial rating.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's symptoms did not warrant a higher rating due to their severity and duration, consistent with the criteria for a 30 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 9434.
- Claimed conditions
- Anxiety Disorder with Depressive Disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- December 14, 2015
- Citation
- 1552136
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 1552136.
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 acquired psychiatric condition, anxiety disorder with depressive disorder, is rated at 70 percent effective September 7, 2024. The Board has remanded the service connection for left hand fracture and other issues.
- Granted
The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically anxiety disorder with depressive disorder, is rated at a maximum of 50 percent from February 21, 2013, to March 31, 2016, and at a maximum of 70 percent from April 15, 2016, to April 19, 2023.
- Denied
The Veteran's anxiety disorder with depressive disorder is currently rated at 70 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted. The evidence does not show total occupational and social impairment.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for anxiety disorder with depressive disorder was denied as there is no evidence of a pending claim prior to March 7, 2012. The effective date assigned is March 7, 2012.
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.