The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of major depressive disorder with panic disorder is denied. The appeal for a higher evaluation and TDIU prior to June 2, 2015, are granted.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the criteria for a total schedular rating were not met due to the Veteran's ability to communicate and maintain relationships, but noted his irritable and argumentative behavior which made him unsuitable for employment with others.
- Claimed conditions
- major depressive disorder with panic disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 70%
- Decision date
- August 21, 2019
- Citation
- 19164774
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 1,963 · Granted: 32% (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 19164774.
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 found that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension and erectile dysfunction, as opinions are required regarding whether these conditions are related to his sleep apnea, major depressive disorder, prostatitis, or hypertension.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is remanded to determine if service connection for cervical/thoracic spine and carpal tunnel syndrome disabilities should be granted, as these conditions may impact her TDIU claim. The RO must also obtain VA medical opinions regarding the severity of her service-connected disabilities and their impact on employment.
- Denied
The Veteran's major depressive disorder with panic disorder has not resulted in total occupational and social impairment, so a higher rating is denied.
- Granted
The Veteran's initial rating for major depressive disorder with panic disorder was increased to 50 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available.
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