The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder, finding that his symptoms did not preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to September 6, 2017.
The deciding factor: The evidence showed periods of depression but also indicated that the Veteran could go a whole month without being depressed and had good days out-numbering bad ones. His work experience was in various non-hospital settings which he could reasonably continue working in post-retirement.
- Claimed conditions
- Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with unspecified depressive disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 70%
- Decision date
- October 3, 2019
- Citation
- 19176546
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board granted an earlier effective date of March 20, 1997, for the award of service connection for PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the matter for a new retrospective opinion to determine the severity of the Veteran's PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder.
- Granted
The Board granted an earlier effective date of December 28, 2020, for the grant of service connection for PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder.
- Dismissed
The appeal of a proposed reduction in the rating for PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder from 70 percent to 50 percent is dismissed due to premature filing by the Veteran.
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This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.