The Veteran's depressive disorder and tinnitus were rated at 50% prior to October 24, 2017. The Board found that the symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating or TDIU.
The deciding factor: The evidence showed that the Veteran had occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to his depressive disorder but did not demonstrate deficiencies in most areas as required for a 70% rating, nor was he unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to service-connected disabilities.
- Claimed conditions
- Depressive Disorder, Tinnitus
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 50%
- Decision date
- April 4, 2019
- Citation
- 19125449
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to in-service noise exposure.
- Partly granted
The Board granted an effective date of May 17, 2019, for a 70 percent disability rating for PTSD but denied earlier effective dates for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.
- Partly granted
The Board granted readjudication of previously denied claims for service connection for PTSD and COPD, while remanding other issues including entitlement to service connection for an eye disorder, hypertension, tinnitus, a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, TDIU, and an initial rating for PTSD.
- Dismissed
The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus due to a lack of jurisdiction.
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