The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for adjustment disorder with depression and anxiety prior to October 14, 2015 was denied as the evidence did not show occupational and social impairment with decreased work efficiency or intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks.
The deciding factor: The symptoms described by the Veteran during this period were consistent with a 30 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 9400 for adjustment disorder with depression and anxiety, which requires occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks.
- Claimed conditions
- adjustment disorder with depression and anxiety
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- January 31, 2020
- Citation
- 20007798
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.
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The Board denied a rating higher than 30 percent for the Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability and remanded the claim for service connection for sleep apnea.
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- Granted
The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, effective from the date of the February 2025 rating decision.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a medical examination to determine if the Veteran's current neck strain is related to his in-service activities.
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