The Board denied a rating in excess of 70 percent for major depressive disorder, but granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).
The deciding factor: The Veteran's psychiatric condition was found to be manifested by occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, but did not meet the criteria for a higher 100 percent rating. The service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.
- Claimed conditions
- Major depressive disorder, recurrent, moderate, with anxious distress
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 70%
- Decision date
- April 23, 2025
- Citation
- A25037022
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 785 · Granted: 47% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation A25037022.
What this means for you
A partial grant means some issues were granted while others were denied or remanded — common in multi-issue claims. Look at which issues went which way, and how each was argued.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
An effective date earlier than May 31, 2023, for the award of service connection for major depressive disorder, recurrent, moderate, with anxious distress is granted. The issue of entitlement to a higher rating for the mental health disability prior to January 11, 2024, is remanded.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as major depressive disorder, recurrent, moderate, with anxious distress. The claim for a compensable rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae of the face was denied.
- Denied
The Board denied an increased rating for the Veteran's major depressive disorder, recurrent, moderate, with anxious distress, as the evidence did not support a higher evaluation.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar myositis, psychoneurosis and conversion hysteria, residuals of shrapnel wounds of the left thigh and pelvis with retained foreign bodies and scars, and residuals of shell fragment wounds of the right thigh and left leg. The veteran was also denied entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.