The Board granted an effective date of August 3, 2016, for a disability rating of 70 percent for major depressive disorder and a separate disability rating of 10 percent for right lower extremity radiculopathy. The claim for a higher rating for major depressive disorder was denied.
The deciding factor: The evidence supported the Veteran's MDD symptoms manifesting as occupational and social impairment, with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood at least as early as August 3, 2016. The Board found that the evidence was in approximate balance for right lower extremity radiculopathy.
- Claimed conditions
- Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), Postoperative Herniated Nucleus Pulposus, Lumbar Spine, Right Lower Extremity Radiculopathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 70%
- Decision date
- January 11, 2024
- Citation
- 24001871
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 Board remands the claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include MDD, as secondary to service-connected disabilities due to a duty to assist error.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including GAD, MDD, PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and foot disabilities. The claim for NSC pension benefits was dismissed as moot due to a higher disability rating.
- Granted
The Board granted an effective date of June 21, 2024, for the award of service connection for major depressive disorder (MDD).
- Partly granted
The Board granted an effective date of April 3, 1982 for the 70 percent rating for major depressive disorder (MDD), but denied an earlier effective date for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).
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