The Board denied a rating in excess of 70 percent for the Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder with anxious distress and cocaine use disorder, as the severity, frequency, and duration of symptoms did not more nearly approximate total occupational and social impairment.

The deciding factor: The Veteran's symptoms did not more closely approximate total occupational and social impairment during the appeal period, given his continued employment and some social contacts despite reported anxiety and depression.

Claimed conditions

major depressive disorder (MDD) with anxious distress and cocaine use disorder

How they argued it

Direct service connection

Exposure basis

None

Rating assigned

None in this decision

Decision date

November 5, 2025

Citation

A25096397

Want to see how appeals like this one tend to go? Appeals like mine