The Veteran's major depressive disorder and anxiety disorders are currently rated at 70 percent, effective December 10, 2015. The Board denied a higher rating for the period prior to that date as his symptoms did not meet the criteria for total occupational and social impairment. The claim for TDIU based on these conditions was also denied due to the Veteran's ability to maintain substantially gainful employment.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's symptoms, while significant, did not result in total occupational and social impairment at any point during the appeal period.
- Claimed conditions
- Major depressive disorder with anxiety
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 70%
- Decision date
- January 29, 2019
- Citation
- 19106829
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 increased ratings for right and left knee degenerative changes and major depressive disorder with anxiety, as the evidence did not support a higher rating.
- Partly granted
The Board granted a 50 percent disability rating for major depressive disorder with anxiety from August 31, 2019, and denied an effective date prior to August 31, 2020, for the grant of service connection and separate ratings for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate June 2018 VA examination, and a new examination is needed to determine if the Veteran has PTSD or any other acquired psychiatric disorders related to his service.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, effective from the date of the February 2025 rating decision.
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This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.