The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of a 70 percent disability rating for major depressive disorder with alcohol use disorder, as the evidence did not support a finding that the Veteran's symptoms more nearly approximated the criteria for a 70 percent disability rating prior to July 29, 2024.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the Veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for a 70 percent disability rating due to the lack of evidence showing occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas before July 29, 2024.
- Claimed conditions
- major depressive disorder with alcohol use disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 13, 2025
- Citation
- A25098762
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 910 · Granted: 31% (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 A25098762.
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder with alcohol use disorder and sleep apnea, have resulted in a combined rating of 100 percent. He is already receiving special monthly compensation at the housebound rate due to his service-connected disabilities. Therefore, the issue of entitlement to a TDIU is moot.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for service connection and increased ratings was dismissed due to their death during the pendency of the appeal.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations and service connection have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for tinnitus and an increased evaluation for major depressive disorder with alcohol use disorder to correct pre-decisional duty to assist errors.
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