The Veteran's other specified depressive disorder with anxious distress is granted an initial 50 percent rating, but no higher. The lumbosacral spine DDD and benign positional vertigo or dizziness disorder are each granted a specific rating. Posttraumatic headaches from November 28, 2016 onwards are granted a maximum schedular 50 percent rating. TBI residuals are not rated in excess of 10 percent.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's depressive disorder with anxious distress is characterized by occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to symptoms such as depression, problems sleeping, anger, decreased energy, and irritability. The highest schedular rating for this condition is 50 percent.
- Claimed conditions
- Other specified depressive disorder with anxious distress
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 50%
- Decision date
- November 19, 2021
- Citation
- A21018563
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 A21018563.
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.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for PTSD and denied it for TBI, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran regarding his psychiatric condition.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder to obtain a new VA examination that fully addresses and considers the Veteran's lay assertions and any private or VA treatment records.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is granted for an increased initial disability rating of 70 percent for a psychiatric disorder, effective August 14, 2020. The issues of service connection for erectile dysfunction and migraine headaches are remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.
- Granted
The Veteran's PTSD and other specified depressive disorder with anxious distress are related to in-service military sexual trauma (MST), and the claim is granted.
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.