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Whole decision: Granted

The VA has granted an initial disability evaluation of 50 percent for the appellant's service-connected dysthymic disorder, effective from September 16, 2004. The decision also addressed the issue of TDIU but did not specify a rating or effective date.

The deciding factor: The VA found that the appellant's psychiatric disability met the criteria for a 50 percent evaluation under the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders due to symptoms such as flattened affect, difficulty understanding complex commands, and impaired judgment.

Claimed conditions
Dysthymic Disorder
How they argued it
Direct service connection
Exposure basis
None
Rating
Not verified here — check the original decision
Decision date
November 10, 2009
Citation
0942758

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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 0942758.

What this means for you

A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.

What you can do next

Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).

Related decisions

Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.

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