The Veteran's psychiatric disability, which includes anxiety, depression, and sleep disturbances, was found to have a severity, frequency, and duration of symptoms that more closely approximated the level associated with a 50 percent rating. The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 50 percent due to lack of evidence showing deficiencies in most areas such as work, family relations, judgment, thinking, and mood.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's psychiatric disability did not show symptoms that required a higher rating (70% or 100%) such as suicidal/homicidal ideation, near continuous panic/depression affecting function, neglect of personal appearance, illogical speech, difficulty adapting to stressful circumstances, spatial disorientation, etc.
- Claimed conditions
- other specified trauma and stressor related disorder, anxiety, depression, sleep disturbances
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 50%
- Decision date
- October 31, 2022
- Citation
- A22021969
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 A22021969.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining in-service psychiatric treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorder.
- Denied
The Veteran's depression was rated at 50 percent prior to July 1, 2016. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating due to occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. For TDIU, the Veteran had multiple service-connected disabilities but his education and work experience were sufficient for sedentary or light labor employment.
- Granted
The Veteran's depression was rated at 50 percent prior to September 27, 2017. From September 27, 2017, the rating for depression increased to 70 percent.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals were dismissed due to the death of the appellant. The issues related to service connection for various conditions and disability ratings.
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