The Veteran's service-connected other specified depressive disorder is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board finds that there is reasonable doubt in favor of a higher rating. The symptoms described align with a 70 percent rating.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's symptoms include flattened affect, obsessional rituals, near-continuous panic or depression affecting ability to function independently, and impaired impulse control, which more closely approximate the criteria for a 70 percent disability rating under DC 9434.
- Claimed conditions
- Other specified depressive disorder
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 50%
- Decision date
- January 17, 2017
- Citation
- 1701130
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 1701130.
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 other specified depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent, but no higher, for the entire appeal period.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of VA examination and insufficient evidence to verify the Veteran's reported stressors. The Veteran is seeking service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, other specified trauma related disorder, and other specified depressive disorder.
- Granted
The Veteran's other specified depressive disorder is granted an initial 70 percent disability rating, effective July 26, 2022.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew their appeal concerning the issue of entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for other specified depressive disorder.
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