The Veteran's major depressive disorder rating was reduced from 100% to 70%, but the reduction is void ab initio, and the petition to restore the prior 100% rating is granted. Special monthly compensation at the statutory housebound rate remains in effect.
The deciding factor: The reduction of the major depressive disorder rating was improper as it was not based on a full review of the record or an adequate examination forming the basis for the reduction, and thus void ab initio.
- Claimed conditions
- major depressive disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 70%
- Decision date
- March 13, 2026
- Citation
- A26023081
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 A26023081.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
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- Dismissed
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- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided that the Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, should be remanded due to a failure to verify a stressor related to the death of his two best friends in Iraq. The AOJ needs to develop this stressor.
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