The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his acquired psychiatric disorder, major depression, was granted with a rating of 70 percent effective June 27, 2005. His claims for increased evaluations of his lumbar spine disability and carpal tunnel syndromes were also granted, but the hearing loss in the left ear remains at a non-compensable evaluation.
The deciding factor: The veteran's psychiatric disorder was found to warrant a higher rating due to its severity and impact on his daily life. The lumbar spine disability met the criteria for a 70 percent rating based on its symptoms and functional impairment. The carpal tunnel syndromes were also rated as they warranted increased evaluations.
- Claimed conditions
- major depression, facet degenerative joint disease, multiple levels of the lumbar segment of the spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 70%
- Decision date
- April 5, 2006
- Citation
- 0609928
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 remands the claims for service connection for major depression, personality disorder, and severe anxiety due to an inadequate VA examination and opinion.
- 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.
- Partly granted
The Veteran's eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) was granted from May 20, 2016. The Board also remanded the claim for a higher disability rating for his lumbosacral strain, degenerative joint disease and intervertebral disc syndrome.
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