The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including Major Depressive Disorder with alcohol abuse and cocaine dependence, is currently rated at 30 percent. The Board has determined that the severity of his symptoms warrants a higher rating to 70 percent.
The deciding factor: The frequency, severity, and duration of the Veteran's psychological symptoms have been found to exceed those contemplated by the current 30 percent rating criteria, leading to a determination that he should be rated at 70 percent for the entire appeal period.
- Claimed conditions
- Major Depressive Disorder, Alcohol abuse in reported remission, Cocaine dependence in reported fully early remission
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 70%
- Decision date
- August 28, 2017
- Citation
- 1735557
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 1735557.
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.
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- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for PTSD and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's erectile dysfunction is secondary to his service-connected major depressive disorder, and thus grants service connection for this condition.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for a 70 percent disability rating for his psychiatric disorder, including PTSD with MDD and anxiety, has been granted. However, the issue of entitlement to Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) is remanded due to procedural issues.
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