The Board granted an effective date of June 2, 2015, for the award of service connection for major depressive disorder (MDD), and also granted initial ratings of 70 percent for MDD, a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability (TDIU), but denied SMC at both the housebound rate and the need for aid and attendance.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's symptoms more nearly approximated occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas; however, there was no evidence of total occupational and social impairment. The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and work history.
- Claimed conditions
- Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 70%
- Decision date
- June 9, 2025
- Citation
- A25050536
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include MDD, as secondary to service-connected disabilities due to a duty to assist error.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including GAD, MDD, PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and foot disabilities. The claim for NSC pension benefits was dismissed as moot due to a higher disability rating.
- Granted
The Board granted an effective date of June 21, 2024, for the award of service connection for major depressive disorder (MDD).
- Partly granted
The Board granted an effective date of April 3, 1982 for the 70 percent rating for major depressive disorder (MDD), but denied an earlier effective date for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).
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