The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for service connection of Major Depressive Disorder, finding that the correct effective date is February 11, 2020. The decision states that the claim was received on this date and that entitlement to service connection arose in July 2011.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the Veteran's supplemental claim for service connection for Major Depressive Disorder was not timely filed within one year of the February 8, 2019 notification letter, which made the February 6, 2019 rating decision final. The effective date is therefore set at the date of receipt of the supplemental claim on February 11, 2020.
- Claimed conditions
- Major Depressive Disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 100%
- Decision date
- February 27, 2026
- Citation
- A26017961
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 A26017961.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
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The Veteran's major depressive disorder is found to be caused by his service-connected low back and radiculopathy disabilities, which prevent him from doing enjoyable activities and daily living tasks.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for PTSD and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's erectile dysfunction is secondary to his service-connected major depressive disorder, and thus grants service connection for this condition.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for a 70 percent disability rating for his psychiatric disorder, including PTSD with MDD and anxiety, has been granted. However, the issue of entitlement to Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) is remanded due to procedural issues.
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