The Board has granted an increased evaluation of 30 percent for dysthymia, effective February 7, 1997. The veteran's claim was reopened on new evidence and the earlier effective date request is denied.
The deciding factor: The veteran's claim for a higher rating for dysthymia was previously denied in February 1988 but was later reopened due to new evidence submitted by the veteran, leading to an increased evaluation of 30 percent effective February 7, 1997. The earlier effective date request is not granted as it pertains to a previous denial that has since been revised.
- Claimed conditions
- dysthymia
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- March 30, 2004
- Citation
- 0408134
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 0408134.
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.
- 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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