The Veteran's appeal is granted for an effective date of September 27, 2021, but the claim for a higher initial rating remains denied.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's psychiatric symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent.
- Claimed conditions
- persistent depressive disorder with anxious distress
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- April 14, 2026
- Citation
- A26034704
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 A26034704.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for persistent depressive disorder with anxious distress and service connection for ulcerative colitis are being remanded due to the failure to obtain relevant medical records.
- Granted
The Veteran is granted a higher level of special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance at the rate provided by 38 U.S.C. 1114(r)(1), due to his service-connected stable angina, persistent depressive disorder with anxious distress, and Alzheimer's disease associated with diabetes mellitus type II.
- Granted
An effective date of October 11, 2023, and no earlier, for an increased 30 percent disability rating for service-connected migraine headaches is granted.,An effective date prior to October 11, 2023, for the award of service connection for persistent depressive disorder with anxious distress is denied.
- Denied
The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 70 percent for his service-connected persistent depressive disorder with anxious distress and service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to this condition have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show total occupational or social impairment, nor was there any medical basis to support service connection for OSA.
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.