The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for major depressive disorder prior to December 13, 2017 was denied.,A 30 percent disability rating from December 13, 2017 was granted for the service-connected major depressive disorder associated with fibromyalgia.,The reduction of the combined 60 percent rating for various body parts affected by fibromyalgia to a single 40 percent rating effective July 1, 2014 was upheld.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's major depressive disorder caused occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks during significant stress periods or when symptoms were controlled by medication.,From December 13, 2017, the Veteran’s major depressive disorder warranted a 30 percent disability rating due to occasional decreases in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks.,The reduction of the combined 60 percent rating for various body parts affected by fibromyalgia was proper as it was supported by evidence showing clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in assigning separate ratings.
- Claimed conditions
- Major Depressive Disorder, Fibromyalgia
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- January 31, 2019
- Citation
- 19107140
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,435 · Granted: 22% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 19107140.
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
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- Remanded (sent back)
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