The Board denied an increased rating in excess of 30 percent for the Veteran's service-connected persistent depressive disorder with anxious distress, irregular sleep pattern, and alcohol use disorder as the evidence did not show occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's symptoms were found to manifest in occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks although generally functioning satisfactorily, which more closely approximated a 30 percent rating rather than a higher one.
- Claimed conditions
- persistent depressive disorder with anxious distress, irregular sleep pattern, alcohol use disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- January 12, 2024
- Citation
- 24002057
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for a liver condition, finding it to be secondary to the Veteran's service-connected depressive disorder.
- Remanded (sent back)
The appeal is remanded for further development and consideration of the Veteran's claims for service connection for various acquired psychiatric disorders.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for a psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, MDD, and alcohol use disorder, as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability and tinnitus.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew the appeal for service connection for a psychiatric disability, including depression, alcohol use disorder, cocaine use disorder, and cannabis use disorder.
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