The Board denied the veteran's claims for an evaluation in excess of 50 percent for dysthymia and a compensable initial evaluation for recurrent upper gastrointestinal bleeding with duodenal diverticulum, finding that his current symptoms do not warrant higher ratings.
The deciding factor: The veteran's dysthymia was rated at 50 percent since its grant of service connection in December 1946. The most recent VA examination showed minimal or absent symptoms attributable to dysthymia, resulting in a GAF score of 90, which is indicative of normal functioning.
- Claimed conditions
- dysthymia, recurrent upper gastrointestinal bleeding with duodenal diverticulum
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- August 8, 2002
- Citation
- 0209510
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 0209510.
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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