The Veteran's claim for a higher initial disability rating for service-connected major depressive disorder is granted from February 9, 2016 to June 1, 2020. The issue of total disability rating for compensation purposes based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) is remanded.
The deciding factor: The Board finds that the Veteran's depression symptoms have resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, warranting a higher initial disability rating of 70 percent from February 9, 2016 to June 1, 2020. However, as of June 1, 2020, the issue of TDIU is rendered moot due to the traumatic brain injury rating.
- Claimed conditions
- Major depressive disorder (depression)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 70%
- Decision date
- April 13, 2021
- Citation
- 21021462
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 21021462.
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 Veteran's depression has been rated at 70 percent from June 8, 2016, and a rating of 100 percent is granted prior to December 20, 2021.,The issue of entitlement to TDIU is dismissed as moot due to the grant of a 100 percent disability rating for depression.
- Dismissed
The Board dismissed the appeals due to the appellant's death, and no disability rating or unemployability determination was made.
- Granted
The Veteran was granted an initial rating of 70 percent for depression prior to June 28, 2019.,An effective date prior to September 3, 2010, for the grant of service connection for depression is denied.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for PTSD, depression and GAD are remanded due to new evidence received since the last decision. The VA is required to obtain a medical opinion to determine if these conditions are related to service.
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