The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his Major Depressive Disorder was denied. The Board found that the severity, frequency, and duration of his symptoms did not more closely approximate occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity required for a higher rating.
The deciding factor: The Veteran’s MDD symptoms were evaluated as causing occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks (30 percent), which is less severe than the 50 percent rating that requires disturbances of motivation and mood, among other criteria.
- Claimed conditions
- Major Depressive Disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- July 1, 2021
- Citation
- 21039942
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 21039942.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's major depressive disorder is found to be caused by his service-connected low back and radiculopathy disabilities, which prevent him from doing enjoyable activities and daily living tasks.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for PTSD and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's erectile dysfunction is secondary to his service-connected major depressive disorder, and thus grants service connection for this condition.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for a 70 percent disability rating for his psychiatric disorder, including PTSD with MDD and anxiety, has been granted. However, the issue of entitlement to Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) is remanded due to procedural issues.
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