The Board found that the veteran's service-connected dysthymia did not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 50 percent, and denied his claim for a total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability. The evidence showed that while the veteran had significant psychiatric symptoms, they were not severe enough to prevent him from maintaining employment.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner found that the veteran's dysthymia did not significantly impair employability and his memory problems would preclude employment, but this was due to a separate diagnosis of probable dementia rather than the service-connected dysthymia.
- Claimed conditions
- dysthymia
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 29, 2000
- Citation
- 0033936
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 0033936.
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.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, dysthymia, and anxious distress based on the Veteran's in-service combat-related stressors.
- Partly granted
The Board granted the restoration of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits, effective March 1, 2021. The increased rating for dysthymia was denied.
- Partly granted
The veteran was granted a 50% rating for dysthymia from August 20, 2007, to January 2, 2013, and a 100% rating for major depressive disorder starting January 3, 2013. The claim for TDIU prior to January 3, 2013, was denied.
- Denied
The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and his cause of death (cardiopulmonary arrest due to sepsis due to pneumonia) is not related to any service-connected conditions. The Board denied the claims for DIC, survivor's pension, and accrued benefits.
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