The Veteran's service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder (depression and anxiety) is granted. Service connection for eye condition as secondary to diabetes mellitus is denied, and the claim for finding of total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is also denied.
The deciding factor: Service connection was granted for depression and anxiety because there was no clear and unmistakable evidence that a preexisting mental health condition existed prior to service. The eye condition was not found to be secondary to diabetes mellitus, as the Veteran's mild cataracts were age-related rather than diabetic in nature.
- Claimed conditions
- depression, anxiety
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 100%
- Decision date
- October 17, 2022
- Citation
- 22058130
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 22058130.
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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