The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for major depression and an initial rating higher than 20 percent for his back disability. The veteran was granted service connection for discogenic disease at L4-L5 and L5-S1, but with a non-compensable evaluation for neurologic complications involving the left leg.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not support a finding of chronic psychiatric disability during or within one year after service, nor could it be related to active duty service. The VA examiner's opinion was given more weight than the private psychiatrist's opinion due to lack of review of service medical records. The veteran's back disability met criteria for a 20 percent evaluation under the revised rating criteria effective September 26, 2003.
- Claimed conditions
- major depression, discogenic disease at L4-L5 and L5-S1, neurologic complications involving the left leg
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- June 30, 2004
- Citation
- 0417574
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 0417574.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for major depression, personality disorder, and severe anxiety due to an inadequate VA examination and opinion.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for tonic-clonic seizures or grand mal epilepsy, left and right carpal tunnel syndrome, back/spinal cord injury, and major depression due to pre-decisional errors in the duty to assist.
- Partly granted
The Board granted the Veteran's request to readjudicate his claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as major depression and schizophrenia, due to new evidence being submitted after the prior final denial.
- Partly granted
The Board denied service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome, right shoulder disability (recurrent dislocation), insomnia, major depression, and posttraumatic stress disorder. However, it granted restoration of a 10 percent rating for gastroesophageal reflux disease, lumbosacral strain, left knee patellofemoral syndrome, and right knee patellofemoral syndrome.
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