The Veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for MDD prior to March 11, 2019 was denied as his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating.,From March 11, 2019, the Veteran's claim for an increased rating of 70 percent or more for MDD was also denied due to insufficient evidence showing total social and occupational impairment.
The deciding factor: The Veteran’s symptoms did not meet the criteria for a disability rating greater than 50 percent prior to March 11, 2019 as he still had some ability to establish and maintain effective work and social relationships.,From March 11, 2019, his symptoms did not rise to the level of total occupational and social impairment required for a disability rating greater than 70 percent.
- Claimed conditions
- Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), Generalized Anxiety Disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 31, 2020
- Citation
- 20008264
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.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for PTSD, generalized anxiety disorder, and somatic symptom disorder, as well as presumptive service connection for basal cell carcinoma under the PACT Act. Service connection was denied for chronic fatigue syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome, right restless leg syndrome, left restless leg syndrome, an increased rating for psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, a left forehead surgical scar, and allergic rhinitis.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include MDD, as secondary to service-connected disabilities due to a duty to assist error.
- Granted
The Board granted a staged disability rating of 70 percent for the service-connected generalized anxiety disorder from January 8, 2024, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including GAD, MDD, PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and foot disabilities. The claim for NSC pension benefits was dismissed as moot due to a higher disability rating.
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