The Board denied earlier effective dates for the assignment of ratings and service connection, finding no basis to award an earlier date than May 28, 2019.
The deciding factor: There was no continuous pursuit since the last adjudication of the rating assigned or increase in disability that would warrant an earlier effective date.
- Claimed conditions
- Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), Residuals, stress fracture, left pelvis (adduction), Residuals, stress fracture, left pelvis (extension), Residuals, stress fracture, left pelvis (flexion), Lumbosacral spondylosis without myelopathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 11, 2025
- Citation
- A25051191
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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