The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date than July 25, 2016 for a 70 percent rating for his acquired psychiatric disorder due to insufficient evidence showing that the severity, frequency, and duration of his symptoms warranted such a higher rating within one year prior to his April 2015 supplemental claim.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the Veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for a 70 percent or 100 percent disability rating due to insufficient evidence showing significant impairment in most areas, as required by these ratings. The Board considered all relevant VA treatment records and examinations from within one year prior to his April 2015 supplemental claim.
- Claimed conditions
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Major Depressive Disorder, Cocaine-Use Disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 70%
- Decision date
- January 5, 2021
- Citation
- 21000648
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 21000648.
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
The Veteran's major depressive disorder is found to be caused by his service-connected low back and radiculopathy disabilities, which prevent him from doing enjoyable activities and daily living tasks.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for PTSD and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's erectile dysfunction is secondary to his service-connected major depressive disorder, and thus grants service connection for this condition.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to December 27, 2019 for the grant of service connection for PTSD was denied as there is no earlier claim document in the claims file and the Veteran did not timely perfect an appeal.
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