The veteran was granted a 70 percent disability rating for his persistent depressive disorder with alcohol use and cocaine use disorders, effective July 29, 2013.

The deciding factor: The evidence demonstrated that the appellant's psychiatric disorder more nearly approximated occupational and social impairment, with deficiencies in most areas during the entire period on appeal.

Claimed conditions

pharyngeal injury, persistent depressive disorder with alcohol use and cocaine use disorders

How they argued it

Direct service connection

Exposure basis

None

Rating assigned

70%

Decision date

October 15, 2025

Citation

A25088860

Want to see how appeals like this one tend to go? Appeals like mine