The Veteran was granted an initial 70 percent disability rating for dysthymic disorder prior to April 17, 2013 and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities effective September 23, 2011.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's symptoms of near-continuous panic and depression, impaired impulse control, difficulty adapting to stressful circumstances, and the inability to establish and maintain effective relationships warranted a 70 percent rating for dysthymic disorder prior to April 17, 2013. Additionally, her service-connected dysthymic disorder rendered her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since September 23, 2011.
- Claimed conditions
- dysthymic disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 70%
- Decision date
- January 3, 2024
- Citation
- 24000427
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 service-connected dysthymic disorder, anxiety disorder, borderline intellectual functioning, and dyslexia have prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.
- Partly granted
The Board granted an increased rating of 70 percent for dysthymic disorder and a total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability, effective July 31, 2008.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date of August 1, 1989 or November 1, 2011 for his service-connected dysthymic disorder.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected dysthymic disorder has been found to prevent him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment, and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is granted.
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