The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for depressive disorder and a disability rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD. The Board found that there was no current diagnosis of depression separate from his PTSD, and that the symptoms associated with his PTSD did not meet the criteria for a 100% disability rating.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's symptoms were more closely approximated by a 70% disability rating rather than a 100% rating due to the severity, frequency, and duration of his unlisted symptoms being less severe, frequent, and shorter in duration compared to those contemplated for a 100% rating.
- Claimed conditions
- Depressive Disorder, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 22, 2020
- Citation
- 20062328
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. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 20062328.
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.
- Granted
Service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is granted. The appeal as to the issue of entitlement to service connection for erectile dysfunction is dismissed.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for service connection for PTSD has been dismissed as the claim was granted and effective from February 22, 2023.
- Granted
The Veteran's psychiatric disorder, specifically depressive disorder, is rated at 70 percent effective from August 3, 2021. The claim for a higher rating remains denied.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD with alcohol use disorder was denied, and he was granted a TDIU. The Board found that the symptoms did not meet criteria for a 100% disability rating.
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