The Board has granted a 70% disability evaluation for the Veteran's service-connected mood disorder, effective from July 2013. The Veteran is also entitled to attorney fees related to this decision. The claim for service connection for squamous cell carcinoma of the floor of the mouth was denied as there was no evidence linking the condition to his military service. The TDIU claim has been granted since March 4, 2008.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's mood disorder caused significant occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, warranting a 70% disability evaluation.
- Claimed conditions
- squamous cell carcinoma of the floor of the mouth, depression
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 70%
- Decision date
- January 12, 2016
- Citation
- 1601083
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 1601083.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining in-service psychiatric treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorder.
- Denied
The Veteran's depression was rated at 50 percent prior to July 1, 2016. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating due to occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. For TDIU, the Veteran had multiple service-connected disabilities but his education and work experience were sufficient for sedentary or light labor employment.
- Granted
The Veteran's depression was rated at 50 percent prior to September 27, 2017. From September 27, 2017, the rating for depression increased to 70 percent.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals were dismissed due to the death of the appellant. The issues related to service connection for various conditions and disability ratings.
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