The Veteran's adjustment disorder with depression results in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50% rating. The appeal is remanded for further evaluation of the right shoulder conditions.
The deciding factor: The Veteran’s symptoms align with the criteria for a 50% rating under Diagnostic Code 9440, which requires occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.
- Claimed conditions
- Adjustment Disorder with Depression
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 50%
- Decision date
- October 3, 2019
- Citation
- 19176529
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board granted eligibility for attorney fees based on past-due benefits awarded in a March 2024 rating decision, which increased the rating for psychiatric conditions to 70 percent and awarded TDIU.
- Partly granted
The Veteran is granted SMC at the L rate based on the need for regular aid and attendance since November 1, 2017, but denied prior to that date.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated medical opinions.
- Denied
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected Adjustment Disorder with Depression and Ulcerative Colitis were denied. The Board found that the severity, frequency, and duration of the Veteran’s symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.
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