The Veteran's dysthymic disorder is shown to be productive of symptoms that include anxiety and dysphoria; however, his psychiatric disorder has not resulted in occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks. The Board finds that the criteria for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent are not met.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent under Diagnostic Code 9433, as he does not have impairment of thought processes or communication, delusions, hallucinations, inappropriate behavior, suicidal or homicidal thoughts, deficiencies in memory, obsessive or ritualistic behavior, or sleep impairment.
- Claimed conditions
- dysthymic disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- September 21, 2009
- Citation
- 0935341
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 0935341.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew their appeal for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder.
- Granted
The Veteran's dysthymic disorder disability was productive of total social and occupational impairment throughout the claim period, warranting a 100 percent disability rating.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for fibromyalgia and psychiatric disabilities, as well as his entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU), are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected dysthymic disorder, anxiety disorder, borderline intellectual functioning, and dyslexia have prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.
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