The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating of 70 percent for depression, NOS was granted. The criteria for this rating were met based on the severity and frequency of symptoms such as irritability, anxiety, confusion, distraction with loss of concentration, absent-mindedness, anger, conflicts with peers, nightmares, sleep disturbance, depression, forgetfulness, verbal aggressiveness at work and home, insomnia, loneliness, panic attacks, problems with interpersonal relationships and marriage, uncontrolled tremors, inability to withstand pressure or stress, withdrawal from sex, mood swings, isolation, numbness, disturbances of motivation or mood, and flattened affect. The Veteran's symptoms resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's depression, NOS, manifested sufficient symptoms to meet the criteria for a 70 percent disability rating based on occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.
- Claimed conditions
- depression
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 70%
- Decision date
- December 28, 2021
- Citation
- 21076909
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 21076909.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining in-service psychiatric treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorder.
- Denied
The Veteran's depression was rated at 50 percent prior to July 1, 2016. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating due to occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. For TDIU, the Veteran had multiple service-connected disabilities but his education and work experience were sufficient for sedentary or light labor employment.
- Granted
The Veteran's depression was rated at 50 percent prior to September 27, 2017. From September 27, 2017, the rating for depression increased to 70 percent.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals were dismissed due to the death of the appellant. The issues related to service connection for various conditions and disability ratings.
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