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A dismissal means the Board did not decide the issue on its merits — usually because it was withdrawn or had become moot.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 was granted a disability rating of 70 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder and major depressive disorder, effective October 24, 2017. The Board also granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for a psychiatric disability, diagnosed as major depressive disorder and adjustment disorder with depressed mood, based on the Veteran's reported symptoms during and since service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability due to the need for a more comprehensive medical examination and opinion.
- Denied
The Board denied increased ratings for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and a psychiatric disability due to insufficient evidence of the severity required for higher ratings.
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