The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than February 22, 2016 for entitlement to a total disability rating for compensation based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is denied. The Board found that there was no evidence of a claim as defined by VA regulations or evidence of entitlement to TDIU prior to February 22, 2016.
The deciding factor: The preponderance of the evidence is against the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU due to lack of a valid claim and no service-connected disability rendering him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to February 22, 2016.
- Claimed conditions
- adjustment disorder with depressed mood
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- April 28, 2020
- Citation
- 20029617
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 20029617.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Granted
This decision grants service connection for erectile dysfunction and assigns a noncompensable rating, effective November 6, 2020. The Veteran's adjustment disorder with depressed mood is granted as service-connected, also effective November 6, 2020. An effective date prior to November 6, 2020, is denied for the award of service connection for GERD and right lower extremity radiculopathy.,An effective date prior to November 6, 2020, is denied for the award of service connection for GERD and right lower extremity radiculopathy.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was due to his service-connected adjustment disorder with depressed mood, which contributed substantially or materially to his death. Therefore, service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is granted.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's initial compensable rating for adjustment disorder with depressed mood is denied, and the claim for service connection for a bilateral foot condition is remanded due to lack of a VA examination.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and depression due to insufficient evidence regarding its etiology.
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