The Veteran's somatic symptom disorder is rated at 30 percent, which corresponds to occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks. The symptoms are not severe enough to warrant a higher rating.
The deciding factor: The severity, frequency, and duration of the Veteran's symptoms more closely approximated those associated with a 30 percent disability rating (depressed mood, anxiety, chronic sleep impairment) than those associated with a 50 percent disability rating (disturbances of motivation and mood).
- Claimed conditions
- Somatic symptom disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- July 18, 2024
- Citation
- A24039035
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation A24039035.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's somatic symptom disorder has been granted a disability rating of 70 percent, but no higher. The severity, frequency, and duration of his mental health symptoms more closely approximate occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's somatic symptom disorder with depressive disorder, unspecified, and anxious distress resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in areas of work, family relations, judgment, and mood. The Board granted an initial disability rating of 70 percent for this condition.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the claims for other specified depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, somatic symptom disorder, alcohol use disorder, left hip condition, left knee condition, left lower extremity radiculopathy, left upper extremity radiculopathy, right hip condition, right knee condition, right lower extremity radiculopathy, right upper extremity radiculopathy, shin splints, left leg, shin splints, right leg, and traumatic brain injury (TBI) for further development.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board dismissed claims for service connection for PTSD and special monthly compensation due to loss of a creative organ, denied increased ratings for several disabilities, and granted service connection for somatic symptom disorder and chronic fatigue syndrome.
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.