The Veteran's service connection claims for tinnitus, anxiety disorder, and major depressive disorder are denied. Service connection is granted for major depressive disorder and mood disorder related to PTSD. An increased rating of 70 percent for PTSD is granted, effective from March 26, 2014. A total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is also granted.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's tinnitus was not found to be service-connected due to lack of evidence and the absence of a current diagnosis. Anxiety disorder was not diagnosed during the claim period. Major depressive disorder and mood disorder were found to be secondary to PTSD, which was already service-connected. The increased rating for PTSD is based on occupational impairment with deficiencies in most areas, including work, family relations, and mood.
- Claimed conditions
- tinnitus, anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 70%
- Decision date
- June 18, 2019
- Citation
- 19147405
Veterans Law Judge
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 19147405.
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.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for specially-adapted housing assistance and a special home adaptation grant was denied because he does not meet the criteria for either benefit based on his service-connected disabilities.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to incomplete medical records and need for further examination.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, arthritis, and memory loss. The decision found no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, is being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding his alleged stressors.
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