The Board denied a higher rating for coronary artery disease and major depressive disorder but granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to the service-connected MDD, as well as earlier effective dates for special monthly compensation and DEA benefits.
The deciding factor: The severity of the Veteran's conditions did not meet the criteria for higher ratings, but his unemployability was solely due to his service-connected major depressive disorder, warranting a TDIU. The earlier effective dates were granted based on evidence submitted by April 8, 2021.
- Claimed conditions
- Coronary artery disease status post myocardial infarction (CAD), Major depressive disorder (MDD)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 28, 2024
- Citation
- A24069215
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.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, effective August 28, 2018, due to clear and unmistakable error in the October 2018 rating decision. Service connection was also granted for major depressive disorder (MDD) as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.
- Denied
The Board denied increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss, horizontal surgical scars of the anterior neck, and major depressive disorder (MDD), but granted an extraschedular total disability rating based on individual unemployability as of November 12, 2015.
- Denied
The Board denied the motion to revise or reverse on the basis of clear and unmistakable error (CUE) a September 13, 2023 rating decision that granted service connection for PTSD, MDD, and insomnia disorder effective from March 1, 2021.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remanded several claims for further development and readjudication, including service connection for OSA and hypertension, as well as increased ratings for right wrist sprain, MDD, tension headaches, and other musculoskeletal conditions.
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