The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that his symptoms did not result in total occupational and social impairment.
The deciding factor: The frequency, severity, and duration of the Veteran's psychiatric symptoms were found to be more closely approximated by a 70 percent rating rather than a 100 percent rating due to the presence of deficiencies in most areas but not total occupational and social impairment.
- Claimed conditions
- Major depressive disorder with anxious distress
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 70%
- Decision date
- May 28, 2025
- Citation
- A25047146
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.
- Partly granted
The Veteran was granted a 100 percent rating for his service-connected major depressive disorder with anxious distress, an effective date of January 2, 2024, for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA), and Special monthly compensation (SMC) at the housebound rate from the same date. The appeal seeking entitlement to a total disability rating for individual unemployability (TDIU) was dismissed.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the issues of an increased rating for PTSD and entitlement to TDIU due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's social and occupational history.
- Dismissed
The appeal for an earlier effective date was dismissed due to a procedural defect in the Veteran's election of administrative review options.
- Denied
The Board denied an increased rating in excess of 70 percent for generalized anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder with anxious distress, finding the severity, frequency, and duration of the Veteran's symptoms more closely approximated a 70 percent rating.
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