The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of March 23, 2018, for a 30 percent rating for somatic symptoms disorder. The most probative evidence did not show that the condition more nearly approximated criteria for a compensable rating prior to this date.
The deciding factor: The most recent VA examination report indicated that the Veteran's somatic symptoms disorder was not severe enough to warrant a higher rating, and there were no records showing increased severity in the period before March 23, 2018.
- Claimed conditions
- somatic symptoms disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- May 19, 2020
- Citation
- 20034878
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 20034878.
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
The Veteran meets the schedular criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) from January 8, 2018, to March 29, 2022.,Prior to January 8, 2018, the Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal seeking service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder has been dismissed as he requested to withdraw the claim.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a TDIU effective June 10, 2016.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's psychiatric disorder, including somatic symptoms disorder with predominant pain disorder symptoms, insomnia disorder, and other specified trauma and stressor related disorder (PTSD), has been rated at 70 percent since December 2014. The Board found that the severity of his symptoms did not meet or approximate the criteria for a 100 percent rating.
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