The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for persistent depressive disorder, with pure dysthymic syndrome, with anxious distress, late onset, mild (acquired psychiatric disorder) with TBI is denied. The claim for TDIU remains granted.
The deciding factor: The severity and frequency of the Veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 8045-9433, resulting in a denial of his request for an increased rating.
- Claimed conditions
- Persistent Depressive Disorder, TBI
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- February 25, 2026
- Citation
- A26017039
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation A26017039.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's eligibility for the VA Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) is being remanded because the decision was based on incomplete medical evidence and did not consider all available records.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's claim for SMC based on aid and attendance is denied as the effective date cannot be prior to November 9, 2017.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for persistent depressive disorder with anxious distress was granted, effective January 17, 2024. The Board has now granted an earlier effective date of May 31, 2019.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's persistent depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent, the highest available rating under the General Formula for Mental Disorders. The other issues have been denied.
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