The Board denied an initial disability rating in excess of 50 percent for the service-connected psychiatric disorder, finding that the Veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.
The deciding factor: The evidence showed occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to symptoms such as flattened affect, panic attacks more than once a week, difficulty understanding complex commands, and impaired judgment. However, these symptoms were not severe enough to warrant a higher rating of 70 percent or 100 percent.
- Claimed conditions
- major depressive disorder with generalized anxiety disorder (psychiatric disorder)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 50%
- Decision date
- October 1, 2024
- Citation
- A24062191
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
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