The Veteran's service-connected anxiety and depressive disorder materially contributed to his death by suicide, leading to a grant of DIC benefits.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service-connected anxiety and depressive disorder substantially contributed to his death through multiple suicide attempts, including an overdose of prescribed medication.
- Claimed conditions
- Anxiety and depressive disorder, Cardiac dysrhythmia
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 100%
- Decision date
- August 17, 2020
- Citation
- 20054235
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 20054235.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's cause of death was related to his exposure to herbicides in service, and thus service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is granted.
- Denied
The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for anxiety and depressive disorder, as well as lumbar spine DJD prior to June 26, 2019, was denied. The Board found that the symptoms did not warrant a rating in excess of 50 percent for anxiety and depressive disorder or a rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbar spine DJD prior to June 26, 2019.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for anxiety and depressive disorder was denied. The Board found that the severity, frequency, and duration of his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating. His TDIU claim prior to June 8, 2016, was also denied.
- Granted
The Veteran's anxiety and depressive disorder are rated at 50 percent, but no higher. The initial compensable rating for lumbar spine DJD prior to June 26, 2019 is denied. The case is remanded for further evaluation of the lumbar spine DJD from June 26, 2019 onwards and for TDIU.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.