The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for unspecified depressive disorder, an earlier effective date for DEA benefits, and TDIU was denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to his symptoms being more closely approximated by occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's depressive disorder caused some mental impairment but did not result in total occupational impairment, while physical limitations were limited to exertional capacity issues. The Veteran was still able to work as a custodian/janitor until September 2023.
- Claimed conditions
- unspecified depressive disorder, coronary artery disease, tinnitus, diabetes mellitus, bilateral hearing loss
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- April 1, 2026
- Citation
- A26029611
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation A26029611.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for service connection of bilateral hearing loss and a ruptured right ear drum was dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected coronary artery disease, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the severity of his condition.
- Denied
The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was noted upon entry into active duty service and did not increase in severity during service. Therefore, it denied his claim for service connection.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to incomplete medical records and need for further examination.
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