The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for service-connected depressive disorder is granted, and his claims for service connection for tinnitus, headaches, diabetes mellitus, high blood pressure, bilateral lower extremity neuropathy, and obstructive sleep apnea are all denied. The Veteran's TDIU claim is also granted.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner found that the Veteran currently has a diagnosis of depressive disorder with associated symptoms such as depression affecting his ability to function independently, intermittent inability to perform activities of daily living, and difficulty establishing effective relationships. These findings support the grant of a higher rating for service-connected depressive disorder.
- Claimed conditions
- depressive disorder, tinnitus, headaches, diabetes mellitus, high blood pressure, bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, obstructive sleep apnea
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- July 2, 2019
- Citation
- 19151572
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,456 · Granted: 23% (granted or partly granted, in the indexed 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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 19151572.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's headaches are at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected traumatic brain injury, and thus grants service connection for this condition.
- 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.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that there is no competent evidence to support a finding that his current condition began in or as a result of service.
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