The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, characterized as major depressive disorder, has been rated at 30 percent. The Board found that the symptoms did not warrant a higher rating due to occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner observed no significant symptoms that would meet the criteria for a 50% rating under DC 9434, which requires more severe symptoms such as flattened affect, circumstantial speech, panic attacks, etc.
- Claimed conditions
- Major depressive disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- October 10, 2018
- Citation
- 18141308
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 18141308.
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.
- Granted
The Board granted initial ratings of 40 percent for lumbar spine disorder, 70 percent for major depressive disorder, and 40 percent for left lower extremity radiculopathy. TDIU and SMC based on housebound status were also granted.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, based on the Veteran's military service in Vietnam.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, currently diagnosed as other specified trauma and stressor related disorder and major depressive disorder.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for PTSD and major depressive disorder, finding that these conditions originated during active service. The claims for a recurrent sleep disability and a recurrent respiratory disability were remanded for further development.
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