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 assigned
- 70%
- 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. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation A26017039.
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 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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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