The Veteran's dysthymic disorder is rated at 70 percent since June 12, 2012, due to significant impairment in social and occupational functioning.
The deciding factor: The symptoms of near-continuous panic or depression affecting the ability to function independently, appropriate and effectively; difficulty in adapting to stressful circumstances (including work or a worklike setting); and inability to establish and maintain effective relationships are consistent with a 70 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 9433.
- Claimed conditions
- Dysthymic Disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 70%
- Decision date
- October 10, 2024
- Citation
- A24064981
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 948 · Granted: 52% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 A24064981.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has found a pre-decisional duty to assist error and remands the case for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder(s).
- Granted
The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, generalized anxiety disorder, and dysthymic disorder, are granted as at least as likely as not related to in-service military sexual trauma (MSTs). The claim for a sleep disorder is remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of 50 percent for generalized anxiety disorder from March 1, 2023 was granted. The effective date remains pending as the earlier effective date request is separate and distinct.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as major depressive disorder (MDD), dysthymic disorder, adjustment disorder with anxiety, general anxiety disorder, and panic disorder, effective December 12, 2024.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.