The Veteran's initial ratings for his anxiety disorder and depressive disorder were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating prior to April 19, 2011, or from April 19, 2011.
The deciding factor: The symptoms described by the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic code.
- Claimed conditions
- Anxiety Disorder NOS, Depressive Disorder NOS
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- September 28, 2016
- Citation
- 1638126
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 1638126.
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: Denied
The Veteran seeks an earlier effective date for a 70% rating for anxiety disorder NOS with depression and PTSD features. The Board finds that the criteria are not met, as his entitlement to this rating arose after August 27, 2013.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for anxiety disorder with major depressive disorder, finding that the Veteran's current psychiatric symptoms are directly related to events during his military service.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board granted readjudication of the previously denied claim for service connection for PTSD and adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depression, but denied a compensable disability rating for left ring finger ankylosis at proximal interphalangeal joint. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder was remanded.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the award of service connection and a 70 percent rating for Anxiety Disorder NOS is denied. The AOJ has consistently characterized this issue as being about the effective date, but no specific SOC or SSOC has been issued to characterize it as such.
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