The Board granted a total disability rating based on unemployability (TDIU) and eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance, but denied an increased rating in excess of 70 percent for the service-connected major depressive disorder with generalized anxiety disorder.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's psychiatric symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to their severity, frequency, or duration; however, his disability alone prevented him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment since August 22, 2016.
- Claimed conditions
- Major depressive disorder with generalized anxiety disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 21, 2025
- Citation
- A25026746
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 dismissed the claims for a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability and an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for bilateral plantar fasciitis, denied an initial evaluation in excess of 70 percent for major depressive disorder with generalized anxiety disorder, and remanded the claims for initial evaluations in excess of 20 percent for lumbar spine disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy.
- Denied
The Board denied higher ratings for the Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder with generalized anxiety disorder, lumbosacral strain, right knee strain, and hemorrhoids.
- Partly granted
The Board granted a 20 percent disability evaluation for degenerative joint disease and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with sciatica of the legs, effective September 1, 2012. The claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and amputation of the distal right ring finger were denied.
- Dismissed
The appeal concerning the propriety of the rating reductions for the Veteran's right distal fibula disability and tinea pedis was dismissed, while SMC based on the need for aid and attendance was granted prior to February 20, 2024.
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