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 assigned
- 50%
- 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. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 18143161.
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.
- Partly granted
The Board granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to the combined effects of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, but denied an increased rating for hydronephrosis.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for bilateral pes planus, anemia, and gastritis as the conditions were not shown to be related to or aggravated by service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for an initial rating higher than 30 percent for the service-connected heart disability to correct an error by the AOJ in not informing the Veteran of his right to a pre-decisional hearing.
- Granted
The Board granted a rating of 60 percent from January 27, 2016 to July 7, 2022 for the Veteran's duodenal ulcer, duodenitis, gastritis, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
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