The appeal for an earlier effective date for service connection of depression has been dismissed. The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his depression is also denied as the evidence does not show occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence shows that the Veteran’s symptoms, while present, do not meet or approximate the criteria for a 70 percent disability rating under Diagnostic Code 9435 (General Rating Formula for Rating Mental Disorders).
- Claimed conditions
- Depression
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 30, 2020
- Citation
- 20007938
What this means for you
A dismissal means the Board did not decide the issue on its merits — usually because it was withdrawn or had become moot. It says more about procedure than about whether a claim like this can win.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for multiple myeloma, back disability (secondary to multiple myeloma), and depression, with an effective date of January 26, 2021. The decision also remanded claims related to breast cancer, DEA benefits, and initial ratings.
- Denied
The veteran's bad conduct discharge precludes eligibility for VA benefits, including compensation and healthcare.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, and personality disorder, due to the need for further development of the record.
- Dismissed
The appeal was dismissed due to the death of the Appellant during its pendency.
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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.