The Board has granted an increased rating of 50 percent for major depressive disorder effective November 18, 2003. The veteran's symptoms include depression affecting his ability to function independently and effectively, suicidal ideation, some findings of panic attacks, affect that was dysphoric with crying and irritability, poor insight, judgment 'ok', thought-process somewhat tangential, slightly hyper-talkative without pressure, somatic complaints including heart racing, skin crawling, chest tightness (transient), insomnia, and nerves. The GAF score range is 35 to 65.
The deciding factor: The veteran's symptoms meet the criteria for a 50 percent evaluation under Diagnostic Code 9434 of the VA Rating Schedule.
- Claimed conditions
- Major depressive disorder
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 50%
- Decision date
- December 19, 2007
- Citation
- 0739874
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 0739874.
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
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- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder, as secondary to his already service-connected hearing loss and tinnitus.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for major depressive disorder, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis is related to his in-service harassment. Service connection was denied for a binge eating disorder as there is no evidence of such a condition.
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