The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of October 15, 2003 for the award of service connection for her unspecified depressive disorder is granted. An initial increased rating of 70 percent for her unspecified depressive disorder is also granted effective October 15, 2003. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for fibromyalgia and migraine headaches are denied. A TDIU is granted effective October 15, 2003. SMC at the housebound rate is granted effective October 15, 2003.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the Veteran's unspecified depressive disorder caused occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas due to symptoms such as irritability, isolation from family, difficulty concentrating, depression, frustration, frequent panic attacks, and inability to adapt to stressful circumstances. The effective date for service connection is October 15, 2003.
- Claimed conditions
- Unspecified Depressive Disorder, Fibromyalgia
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 70%
- Decision date
- March 7, 2024
- Citation
- 24011050
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 24011050.
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.
- Denied
The Veteran's PTSD, OCD, GAD, and unspecified depressive disorder are rated at 70 percent disabling. The appeal for increased ratings is denied.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not attributable to his active duty service.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected mental disorders are granted a disability rating of 70 percent, but no higher.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, unspecified depressive disorder, alcohol use disorder, and cocaine use disorder due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.
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