The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of major depressive disorder, recurrent and moderate, with anxious distress and alcohol use disorder in sustained remission, as the evidence did not indicate that a prior claim was received before November 30, 2020.
The deciding factor: The Board found that notice of intent to file a claim for service connection was received on November 30, 2020, and there is no indication in the record that an earlier relevant claim or intent to file a claim was received.
- Claimed conditions
- Major depressive disorder, recurrent and moderate, Anxiety disorders, Alcohol use disorder in sustained remission
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- March 23, 2026
- Citation
- A26025820
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 A26025820.
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: Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal of the issue of service connection for 9400 mental disorders, anxiety disorders, and generalized anxiety disorder was dismissed due to concurrent appeals. The claim is considered a supplemental claim for an already adjudicated issue.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and an addendum opinion regarding his acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's major depressive disorder with anxious distress and alcohol use disorder is currently rated at 70 percent, but the Board found that his symptoms did not more closely approximate total occupational and social impairment required for a 100% rating.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions regarding his service-connected conditions, including TBI, mental disorders, fibromyalgia/myofascial pain syndrome, and chronic fatigue syndrome. The issues of rating his TBI residuals, separate ratings for photophobia, speech impediment, and service connection for fibromyalgia/myofascial pain syndrome are inextricably intertwined with the main issue.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.