The Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disability (adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depression) has been rated at 30 percent since the appeal period began, but his symptoms have not met the criteria for a higher rating.
The deciding factor: The Veteran’s symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a 50% rating under Diagnostic Code 9440 of the General Formula for Mental Disorders (General Formula).
- Claimed conditions
- Adjustment Disorder with Mixed Anxiety and Depression
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- January 11, 2021
- Citation
- 21001591
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 21001591.
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 Board has granted service connection for a depressive disorder, finding that the symptoms had their onset during service and have continued since then.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability was increased to a 70% rating effective July 22, 2024. The Appellant is eligible for attorney fees based on past-due benefits awarded in the November 2024 rating decision due to continuous pursuit of claims.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from working, and he has the necessary skills to transition into suitable employment without direct intervention of Chapter 31 benefits.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depression, right knee disability, and left knee disability.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.