The Veteran's appeal for increased disability ratings was denied. The VA determined that the current disability ratings did not adequately reflect the severity of his service-connected conditions, but found no evidence to support a higher rating.
The deciding factor: The VA found that the Veteran’s symptoms were best described as occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, warranting a 70 percent disability rating for his psychiatric disorders. For COPD, the VA found that the FEV-1/FVC ratio was within the range of 71 to 80 percent.
- Claimed conditions
- other specified trauma disorder, major depressive disorder, general anxiety disorder, alcohol use disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 18, 2019
- Citation
- A19003700
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 A19003700.
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.
- Dismissed
The claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for major depressive disorder is dismissed as moot because the earliest effective date was granted during the pendency of this appeal.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for multiple conditions, including an acquired psychiatric disorder, sleep apnea, hypertension, and various musculoskeletal and skin disabilities.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for a liver condition, finding it to be secondary to the Veteran's service-connected depressive disorder.
- Remanded (sent back)
The appeal is remanded for further development and consideration of the Veteran's claims for service connection for various acquired psychiatric disorders.
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