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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Granted
The Veteran's gastritis and esophageal stricture are granted as service-connected.
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