The Board has granted service connection for major depressive disorder and assigned a 50 percent rating since May 9, 2005. The veteran's right ear hearing loss claim is denied as she does not currently have the required auditory threshold levels to meet VA criteria for hearing loss. For the period prior to May 9, 2005, the Board has granted a 30 percent rating based on occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks.
The deciding factor: The veteran's major depressive disorder is manifested by occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas such as work, family relations, and mood. The evidence supports the need for a higher rating than 10 percent since May 9, 2005.
- Claimed conditions
- Right ear hearing loss, Left ear hearing loss, Dental condition, Major depressive disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 50%
- Decision date
- November 21, 2008
- Citation
- 0840108
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 0840108.
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.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder does not render him in need of regular aid and attendance or confined to his home, thus SMC based on housebound status and/or need for regular aid and attendance is denied.
- Granted
The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) at the (o) rate and SMC at the (r)(2) rate, effective January 19, 2025. The decision finds that the Veteran's service-connected conditions warrant these awards due to his need for aid and attendance.
- 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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to insufficient evidence and need for additional examinations.
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