The Veteran's service-connected dysthymic disorder and major depressive disorder are granted a 50 percent rating prior to May 19, 2010. The heart disability claim is denied. Gastritis is granted with a 50 percent rating. Hydronephrosis remains at a 10 percent rating. Bilateral orchitis and epididymitis do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's dysthymic disorder and major depressive disorder resulted in depressed mood, constricted affect, and reduced reliability and productivity prior to May 19, 2010, meeting the criteria for a 50 percent rating under the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders.
- Claimed conditions
- heart disability, gastritis, hydronephrosis, bilateral orchitis and epididymitis, dysthymic disorder and major depressive disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- October 18, 2018
- Citation
- 18143161
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 18143161.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to unclear evidence regarding the diagnosis of gastritis and its relation to service. The Veteran needs to provide records, and a VA examiner will review his medical history and determine if gastritis is related to his military service or any other conditions.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has found that remand is needed for the Veteran's claims due to duty to assist errors, including clarification of periods of service and obtaining relevant records. The Veteran will be afforded new medical examinations for each claimed disability.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's hypertension was granted service connection effective August 10, 2022. The heart disability was granted secondary to the hypertension.,An initial rating of 30% for the heart disability was granted in May 2023 and increased to 60% since October 22, 2024.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's gastritis and esophageal stricture are granted as service-connected.
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