The veteran's anxiety/depression is rated at the highest possible evaluation of 70 percent, while his cervical spine disability and low back strain are each rated at 20 percent. The bilateral knee strain and irritable bowel syndrome do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.
The deciding factor: The veteran's anxiety/depression meets the criteria for a 70 percent evaluation under Diagnostic Code 9400, as it causes occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas due to symptoms such as near continuous depression or manic episodes affecting ability to function independently, intermittent suicidal ideation, poor concentration, hypervigilence, exaggerated startle response, and sleep difficulty.
- Claimed conditions
- Anxiety/depression, Status post diskectomy of the cervical spine, Low back strain, Bilateral knee strain, Irritable bowel syndrome
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 70%
- Decision date
- March 10, 2003
- Citation
- 0304119
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 0304119.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Dismissed
The appeal was withdrawn by the Veteran before the Board promulgated a decision.
- Partly granted
The Board granted an effective date of May 29, 2019 for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder but denied earlier effective dates and increased ratings for other conditions.
- Granted
The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) at the R(1) rate due to his need for regular aid and attendance.
- Partly granted
The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's service-connected right and left knee disabilities, granted a 20% rating for each, and denied an increased rating for degenerative disc disease of the spine. The Board also denied increased ratings for generalized anxiety disorder and service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder, bruxism, headaches, irritable bowel syndrome, fatigue, and sleep disorder.
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