The Veteran's major depressive disorder with generalized anxiety is not rated higher than 70 percent, and the Board denied a rating in excess of 70 percent. The Veteran was granted a total disability rating for individual unemployability based on his service-connected conditions.
The deciding factor: The VA determined that the Veteran’s symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating or for a total disability rating due to individual unemployability.
- Claimed conditions
- Major depressive disorder, Generalized anxiety disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 70%
- Decision date
- June 17, 2019
- Citation
- 19147233
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 an effective date of May 9, 2022, for the grant of service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder with generalized anxiety disorder, other specified depressive disorder, and alcohol use disorder.
- 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.
- Denied
The Board denied an increased rating higher than 70 percent for the Veteran's psychiatric disorder, finding that his symptoms did not more closely approximate total occupational and social impairment.
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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.