The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for the Veteran's service-connected unspecified depressive disorder with anxious distress, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating.
The deciding factor: The symptoms reported by the Veteran and observed during examinations were consistent with a 30 percent rating but not sufficient to warrant a higher evaluation under the criteria provided in the general rating formula for mental disorders.
- Claimed conditions
- unspecified depressive disorder with anxious distress
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 11, 2025
- Citation
- A25034064
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.
- Dismissed
The appeal for service connection for unspecified depressive disorder with anxious distress and insomnia disorder was dismissed due to a procedural defect involving the claims-processing rules.
- Partly granted
The Board denied service connection for a right knee condition, denied initial compensable ratings for tension headaches and unspecified depressive disorder with anxious distress, granted an initial 10 percent rating for GERD, and denied initial compensable ratings for erectile dysfunction.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, to include unspecified depressive disorder with anxious distress, due to an incomplete evidentiary record.
- Partly granted
The Board granted an earlier effective date for the 70 percent rating and a TDIU, but denied SMC based on housebound status.
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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.