The Veteran's major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and traumatic brain injury have been characterized by depression, feelings of worthlessness, suicidal ideation, a few suicide attempts, social and occupational impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. The Board has determined that the current rating of 70% adequately reflects his social and work impairment.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating as they are consistent with a 70% disability rating under Diagnostic Code 9434, which is based on occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood.
- Claimed conditions
- Major depressive disorder, Generalized anxiety disorder, Traumatic brain injury
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 70%
- Decision date
- July 2, 2018
- Citation
- 18115426
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 18115426.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder does not render him in need of regular aid and attendance or confined to his home, thus SMC based on housebound status and/or need for regular aid and attendance is denied.
- Granted
The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) at the (o) rate and SMC at the (r)(2) rate, effective January 19, 2025. The decision finds that the Veteran's service-connected conditions warrant these awards due to his need for aid and attendance.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder, as secondary to his already service-connected hearing loss and tinnitus.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for major depressive disorder, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis is related to his in-service harassment. Service connection was denied for a binge eating disorder as there is no evidence of such a condition.
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