The appeal for an earlier effective date for the grant of a 70 percent rating for major depressive disorder with alcohol dependence was dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran. The claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of a 30 percent rating for bilateral pes planus was denied as there was no evidence that the condition met the criteria for a higher rating prior to August 6, 2024.

The deciding factor: The decision was based on the lack of evidence showing entitlement to a higher rating for bilateral pes planus one year before the claim was filed and the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal for an earlier effective date for major depressive disorder with alcohol dependence.

Claimed conditions

major depressive disorder with alcohol dependence, bilateral pes planus

How they argued it

Direct service connection

Exposure basis

None

Rating assigned

None in this decision

Decision date

October 27, 2025

Citation

A25092515

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