The Board granted service connection for Major Depressive Disorder effective March 4, 1999 and assigned a 50% disability rating. The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date was denied. Increased ratings were granted for Major Depressive Disorder from March 4, 1999 to February 5, 2001 and beginning on February 6, 2001. A compensable rating was assigned for internal derangement of the left knee from June 14, 1991 to February 28, 1994. The veteran's claim for a higher rating for internal derangement of the left knee beginning March 1, 1994 was denied. A compensable rating was assigned for left wrist disorder from November 29, 1990 to November 12, 2002. The veteran's claim for a higher rating for right hip disorder beginning November 13, 2002 was granted.

The deciding factor: The Board found that the veteran had reopened his claim on new evidence and assigned an effective date of March 4, 1999 for service connection of Major Depressive Disorder. The increased ratings were based on the severity of symptoms and functional impairment resulting from the service-connected disabilities.

Claimed conditions

Major Depressive Disorder, Right Knee Injury with Total Knee Arthroplasty, Internal Derangement of Left Knee, Left Wrist Disorder, Right Hip Disorder, Left Hip Disorder

How they argued it

Not specified

Exposure basis

None

Rating assigned

70%

Decision date

August 28, 2003

Citation

0321554

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 0321554.