The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for the grant of a 70 percent evaluation for his service-connected major depressive disorder and special monthly compensation (SMC) based on housebound criteria being met.
The deciding factor: There was no pending claim for an increased rating prior to March 16, 2021, and there is no legal or factual basis for an earlier effective date.
- Claimed conditions
- Not specified in this decision
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 12, 2025
- Citation
- A25022945
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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This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.