The Board denied an initial disability rating in excess of 30 percent from July 11, 2019 for unspecified depressive and anxiety disorder as the Veteran's symptoms did not more closely approximate occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.
The deciding factor: The lack of reported suicidal ideation after September 2019 contradicted the Veteran's statement that he still struggles with suicidal ideation daily, and there was no evidence of impaired impulse control as contemplated by the rating criteria.
- Claimed conditions
- unspecified depressive and anxiety disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- May 6, 2025
- Citation
- A25041215
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,451 · Granted: 22% (granted or partly granted, in the indexed 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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation A25041215.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Board dismissed the appeal for a disability rating greater than 50 percent for unspecified depressive and anxiety disorder because the appellant requested to withdraw the appeal.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluation of unspecified depressive and anxiety disorder, service connection for scoliosis, and costochondritis are dismissed.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied service connection for nonalcoholic steatohepatitis fatty liver, obstructive sleep apnea, and an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for unspecified depressive and anxiety disorder.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board granted an initial rating of 50 percent for the Veteran's unspecified depressive and anxiety disorder prior to May 19, 2022.
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