The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 50 percent for depressive disorder due to chronic pain syndrome has been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the severity of his symptoms, which were consistent with a 50% disability rating under DC 9434. The Veteran's claim for TDIU was also remanded as it is related to his depressive disorder.
The deciding factor: The Veteran’s depression and associated symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on occupational and social impairment, despite some functional limitations.
- Claimed conditions
- Depressive disorder due to chronic pain syndrome
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 50%
- Decision date
- February 11, 2020
- Citation
- 20010899
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 20010899.
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 has granted service connection for depressive disorder due to chronic pain syndrome with major depressive-like episode on a secondary basis to the Veteran's service-connected musculoskeletal disabilities.
- Granted
The Veteran's depressive disorder due to chronic pain syndrome is granted as secondary to his service-connected temporomandibular joint disorder, chronic right ankle sprain with Achilles tendonitis, chronic left ankle sprain with Achilles tendonitis, mild thoracolumbar dextroscoliosis, chondromalacia, left knee, and chondromalacia, right knee from August 8, 2018.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for depressive disorder due to chronic pain syndrome as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected physical disabilities, including cervical and lumbar degenerative disc disease, right elbow bone spur, left ankle chip fracture, left foot hallux valgus, and right foot bunionectomy.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depressive disorder due to chronic pain syndrome, as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.
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