The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disorder, major depressive disorder with alcohol abuse, has been rated at 50 percent since July 17, 2014. The Board finds that the evidence supports a 50 percent rating for this period and grants an initial 50 percent disability rating. However, the Veteran does not meet the criteria for TDIU as his service-connected disabilities do not result in total occupational and social impairment.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's psychiatric disorder results in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity but does not reach the level of total occupational and social impairment required for a TDIU.
- Claimed conditions
- Major depressive disorder with alcohol abuse
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 50%
- Decision date
- July 22, 2016
- Citation
- 1629429
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 1629429.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) is granted, effective from November 10, 2009. The effective date was determined based on the date of receipt of her claim rather than when she first became disabled.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for hypertension, as it was not shown to be incurred in or aggravated by service and is not proximately due to, aggravated by, or the result of a service-connected disability. The Veteran's major depressive disorder with alcohol abuse and TDIU appeals were also remanded.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is pending. The appeal for an increased rating in excess of 30 percent for major depressive disorder with alcohol abuse prior to May 15, 2013 was denied. The Veteran received a 10% disability rating for neuralgia of the seventh cranial nerve effective February 24, 2015 and this decision is final. The appeal for an earlier effective date for the 10% disability rating for neuralgia of the seventh cranial nerve prior to February 24, 2015 was denied. The Veteran received TDIU status prior to May 15, 2013.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is pending. The appeal for an increased rating in excess of 30 percent for major depressive disorder with alcohol abuse prior to May 15, 2013 was denied. The Veteran received a 10% disability rating for neuralgia of the seventh cranial nerve effective February 24, 2015 and this decision is final. The appeal for an earlier effective date for the 10% disability rating for neuralgia of the seventh cranial nerve prior to February 24, 2015 was denied. The Veteran received TDIU status prior to May 15, 2013.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding his TDIU claim and the need for additional records from SSA. The case will be reviewed again after these issues are addressed.
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