The Veteran's MDD and headaches have been rated based on their severity, with some issues granted and others denied. The rating for MDD remains at 50% prior to August 19, 2022, but is denied for a higher rating after that date. Headaches are rated as 30% from August 7, 2019 to September 17, 2022, and denied for a higher rating starting from September 17, 2022.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's MDD was found to have occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity but did not meet the criteria for total occupational and social impairment. Headaches were rated based on their frequency and severity, resulting in a 30% rating from August 7, 2019 to September 17, 2022.
- Claimed conditions
- Major Depressive Disorder with Somatic Symptom Syndrome, Chronic Headaches, Cervical Spine Intervertebral Disc Disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 14, 2023
- Citation
- 23051004
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 23051004.
What this means for you
A partial grant means some issues were granted while others were denied or remanded — common in multi-issue claims. Look at which issues went which way, and how each was argued.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for chronic headaches is remanded due to the need for a new medical examination to assess the frequency and severity of his headaches, including without medication.
- Granted
The Veteran's chronic headaches have been rated at 30 percent since June 24, 2019. The Board has now granted a 50 percent rating effective January 6, 2020.
- Denied
The Veteran's PTSD, chronic headaches, and unspecified dyspnea are rated at 50 percent, non-compensable, respectively. The appeals for higher ratings have been denied.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for multiple conditions, including PTSD, IBS, cardiac arrhythmia, CFS, chronic headaches, chronic sinusitis, dyspnea, and fibromyalgia. The claim for bilateral pes planus was remanded.
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