The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 50 percent for dysthymic disorder prior to September 2, 2016, and an earlier effective date for SMC at the housebound rate was denied. The Board found that there were no symptoms warranting a higher rating or TDIU based solely on dysthymic disorder before September 2, 2016.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the General Rating Formula for Rating Mental Disorders and he was not found to be unemployable due to his service-connected disability prior to September 2, 2016.
- Claimed conditions
- dysthymic disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 50%
- Decision date
- October 29, 2020
- Citation
- 20070206
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 Veteran's service-connected dysthymic disorder, anxiety disorder, borderline intellectual functioning, and dyslexia have prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.
- Partly granted
The Board granted an increased rating of 70 percent for dysthymic disorder and a total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability, effective July 31, 2008.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date of August 1, 1989 or November 1, 2011 for his service-connected dysthymic disorder.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected dysthymic disorder has been found to prevent him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment, and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is granted.
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