The Veteran's service-connected other specified depressive disorder and major neurocognitive disorder have not been found to warrant a higher rating as the symptoms do not meet criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic code.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's psychiatric conditions are primarily attributed to his major neurocognitive disorder, which results in total occupational and social impairment. His depressive disorder is considered less disabling due to its overlap with his cognitive impairments.
- Claimed conditions
- other specified depressive disorder, major neurocognitive disorder with multiple etiologies
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 50%
- Decision date
- January 12, 2022
- Citation
- 22001528
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 1,726 · Granted: 19% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 22001528.
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.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for service connection for other specified depressive disorder, PTSD, anxiety, depression, nightmares, and sleep issues was dismissed as untimely.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for service connection on multiple conditions have been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran during the appeal process.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain a new VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric conditions, including whether they are caused by active service or his service-connected disabilities.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating greater than 70 percent prior to August 18, 2025, for service-connected PTSD was withdrawn by the Veteran before a decision could be made.
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