The Veteran's appeal for a compensable disability rating for hypertension has been dismissed.,The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for service-connected Major Depressive Disorder prior to January 31, 2017 was denied as his symptoms did not warrant such a rating.,A 70 percent disability rating for service-connected Major Depressive Disorder from January 31, 2017 onwards has been granted. The Veteran's TDIU claim effective March 27, 2015 has also been granted.
The deciding factor: The Veteran withdrew his appeal as to the issue of entitlement to a compensable disability rating for hypertension during his hearing with the Board.,During this period, the evidence did not demonstrate symptoms that would warrant a higher, 70 percent disability rating for Major Depressive Disorder. The VA examiner in January 2017 found only occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.,On and after January 31, 2017, the Veteran's symptoms more closely approximated those of a 70 percent disability rating.
- Claimed conditions
- Major Depressive Disorder, Prostate Cancer, Voiding Dysfunction (associated with Prostate Cancer), Diabetes Mellitus, Low Back Disability, Glaucoma
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 50%
- Decision date
- September 16, 2019
- Citation
- 19171700
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 19171700.
What this means for you
A dismissal means the Board did not decide the issue on its merits — usually because it was withdrawn or had become moot. It says more about procedure than about whether a claim like this can win.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's major depressive disorder is found to be caused by his service-connected low back and radiculopathy disabilities, which prevent him from doing enjoyable activities and daily living tasks.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for PTSD and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's erectile dysfunction is secondary to his service-connected major depressive disorder, and thus grants service connection for this condition.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his low back, left knee, and right knee disabilities due to inadequate VA examinations. The AOJ is instructed to obtain private treatment records from Mays & Schnapp Pain Management and schedule the Veteran for additional medical examinations.
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