The Board denied an earlier effective date for the 100 percent rating for depressive disorder, finding no factually ascertainable increase in disability prior to January 29, 2021.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the Veteran's symptoms did not meet or more nearly approximate the criteria for a total rating prior to the assigned date.
- Claimed conditions
- Major depressive disorder, recurrent episode, severe with anxious distress, moderate severe with mood incongruent psychotic features, and unspecified alcohol related disorder (depressive disorder)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 11, 2025
- Citation
- A25022208
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.
- Granted
The Board granted initial ratings of 40 percent for lumbar spine disorder, 70 percent for major depressive disorder, and 40 percent for left lower extremity radiculopathy. TDIU and SMC based on housebound status were also granted.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, currently diagnosed as other specified trauma and stressor related disorder and major depressive disorder.
- Partly granted
The Board granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) but denied service connection for PTSD and a higher rating for the unspecified trauma and stressor related disorder/major depressive disorder/insomnia.
- Denied
The Board denied an effective date earlier than April 9, 2024, for the assignment of a 70 percent evaluation for insomnia disorder with generalized anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder.
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This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.