The Board granted an initial evaluation of 70 percent, but no higher, for unspecified depressive disorder and a finding of total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to the service-connected condition. The Veteran was also granted special monthly compensation at the statutory housebound rate.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's symptoms more closely approximate occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, family relations, judgment, thinking, and mood, which warranted a 70 percent rating for his service-connected unspecified depressive disorder. The evidence also showed that he was unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to the same condition.
- Claimed conditions
- unspecified depressive disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 70%
- Decision date
- October 10, 2024
- Citation
- A24065032
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 Board granted a 70 percent rating for the Veteran's unspecified depressive disorder, finding that her symptoms more closely approximated those required for such a rating.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include major depressive disorder, mood disorder, and unspecified depressive disorder due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, variously diagnosed as unspecified depressive disorder and major depressive disorder.
- Partly granted
The Board granted an effective date of February 7, 2020, for the award of a 70 percent rating for unspecified depressive disorder and TDIU, but denied earlier effective dates for other conditions.
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.