The Board denied an effective date prior to February 8, 2018, for the grant of service connection for major depressive disorder (MDD) because there was no evidence that the Veteran submitted a formal or informal claim for MDD prior to this date.
The deciding factor: The decision was based on the lack of evidence indicating an intent to file a claim for MDD prior to February 8, 2018, and the legal requirement for claims filed more than one year after separation from active service.
- Claimed conditions
- Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 12, 2025
- Citation
- A25023142
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include MDD, as secondary to service-connected disabilities due to a duty to assist error.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including GAD, MDD, PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and foot disabilities. The claim for NSC pension benefits was dismissed as moot due to a higher disability rating.
- Granted
The Board granted an effective date of June 21, 2024, for the award of service connection for major depressive disorder (MDD).
- Partly granted
The Board granted an effective date of April 3, 1982 for the 70 percent rating for major depressive disorder (MDD), but denied an earlier effective date for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).
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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.