The veteran's major depression is rated at the highest possible evaluation of 100 percent. The left knee sprain, internal derangement of the left knee, and right knee strain are all rated at the maximum available evaluations of 10 percent each. Migraine headaches with blackouts have been evaluated as 10 percent disabling.
The deciding factor: The veteran's major depression is manifested by total social and industrial impairment, warranting the highest possible evaluation of 100 percent under Diagnostic Code 9434 for Major Depression (DSM-IV). The left knee sprain, internal derangement of the left knee, and right knee strain are all rated at their maximum evaluations due to the severity of symptoms and functional limitations.
- Claimed conditions
- major depression, left knee sprain, internal derangement of left knee, right knee strain, migraine headaches with blackouts
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 100%
- Decision date
- January 20, 2004
- Citation
- 0401935
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,374 · Granted: 19% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 0401935.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case for additional development regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, major depression, generalized anxiety disorder, insomnia and alcohol use disorder caused his sleep apnea.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee strain, right knee strain, shin splints of the right leg, and shin splints of the left leg are being remanded due to a failure to obtain VA examinations and medical nexus opinions.
- Dismissed
The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeal for service connection for various conditions including hypoglycemia, sinusitis, left foot pes planus, right foot pes planus, right foot plantar fasciitis, left ankle pain, left hip osteoarthritis, left knee sprain, bradycardia, dry eye, hernia, hypercholesterolemia, and bilateral hearing loss.
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