The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for chronic depression and Crohn's disease, as well as entitlement to a TDIU, was denied. The decision did not address the service connection theory or exposure basis.
The deciding factor: The evidence showed that the Veteran experienced symptoms consistent with reduced reliability and productivity but did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings based on more severe impairment in occupational and social functioning.
- Claimed conditions
- Chronic depression
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 1, 2016
- Citation
- 1613315
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 1613315.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
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 due to the need for a VA psychiatrist's opinion regarding the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions, but the examiner must also consider whether they are related to an in-service personal assault or verified stressor.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient verification of in-service stressors and the need for a VA psychiatric examination to determine the nature and likely etiology of each diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorder.
- Granted
The Veteran's PTSD is found to have been aggravated by service, and he is granted service connection for this condition. The Veteran is also granted nonservice-connected pension due to his other disabilities.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar myositis, psychoneurosis and conversion hysteria, residuals of shrapnel wounds of the left thigh and pelvis with retained foreign bodies and scars, and residuals of shell fragment wounds of the right thigh and left leg. The veteran was also denied entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.
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