The Veteran's unspecified depressive disorder with anxious distress is rated at 70 percent, effective October 21, 2014.,The Veteran's headaches are not entitled to a rating in excess of 50 percent.
The deciding factor: The Veteran’s psychiatric symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating due to their severity and frequency. The Veteran is currently rated at 70 percent for his depressive disorder, which is the highest schedular rating available under DC 9435.
- Claimed conditions
- Unspecified depressive disorder with anxious distress, Headaches, migraines
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- December 16, 2024
- Citation
- A24083882
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 A24083882.
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 claim for an increased rating of 70 percent for unspecified depressive disorder with anxious distress is granted, effective December 21, 2024. The claim for service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is denied.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's rating for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity was restored to 20 percent, effective February 24, 2020. The Veteran's depressive disorder and scars were all granted increased ratings.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and benefits related to his PTSD are being remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. Specifically, the AOJ should obtain records from the Vet Center.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his depressive disorder, lumbosacral strain with IVDS, and sciatic radiculopathy have been remanded by the Board due to procedural issues. The initial evaluation for unspecified depressive disorder remains denied.
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