The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation based on housebound status due to his service-connected Major Depressive Disorder, Moderate with Alcohol Use Disorder, Cannabis Use Disorder, and Cocaine Use Disorder, Severe, in Sustained Remission Associated with Degenerative Disc Disease of the Lumbosacral Spine L3-4 Through L5-S1 Levels with Minimal Herniated Nucleus Pulposus at Both Levels and with Postoperative Changes (MDD) alone rendering him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, along with additional separate and distinct service-connected disabilities ratable at 60 percent or more.
The deciding factor: The evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's MDD alone could form the basis of a TDIU, and he has additional disabilities independently ratable at 60 percent or more disabling.
- Claimed conditions
- Major Depressive Disorder, Moderate with Alcohol Use Disorder, Cannabis Use Disorder, and Cocaine Use Disorder, Severe, in Sustained Remission Associated with Degenerative Disc Disease of the Lumbosacral Spine L3-4 Through L5-S1 Levels with Minimal Herniated Nucleus Pulposus at Both Levels and with Postoperative Changes (MDD)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 100%
- Decision date
- October 9, 2024
- Citation
- A24064608
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 was granted a disability rating of 70 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder and major depressive disorder, effective October 24, 2017. The Board also granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability due to the need for a more comprehensive medical examination and opinion.
- Denied
The Board denied an initial disability rating in excess of 50 percent for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder prior to September 10, 2022, and in excess of 70 percent thereafter.
- Denied
The Board denied earlier effective dates for the award of a 100 percent rating for PTSD and major depressive disorder, an earlier effective date for TDIU due to service-connected conditions, and a compensable rating for hypertension. The claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and coronary artery disease were remanded.
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