The veteran's initial rating for his service-connected major depressive disorder/post-traumatic stress disorder was granted at a 30 percent disability evaluation, and an additional 20 percent rating was assigned for his thoracolumbar spine condition. The right knee and lower extremity disabilities were each rated at 10 percent initially.
The deciding factor: The veteran's service-connected psychiatric condition was found to warrant the highest available schedular rating of 50 percent, based on the severity of symptoms including anxiety, insomnia, and PTSD. His thoracolumbar spine condition was also found to warrant a 20 percent evaluation for degenerative joint disease and disc disease.
- Claimed conditions
- Major depressive disorder/post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear of the right knee, Residuals of a gunshot wound to the right lower extremity, Degenerative joint disease and degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine, Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 50%
- Decision date
- September 19, 2008
- Citation
- 0832271
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 0832271.
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 Veteran's appeal for service connection for Dupuytren's contracture of the left hand, right hand, and GERD is remanded due to inadequate VA examination opinions and failure to consider toxic exposure risk activities during service.
- Denied
The Veteran's GERD is currently rated at 10 percent disabling, but the Board found that his symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), finding that both conditions are secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lower back condition and sinusitis, respectively.
- Denied
The Board has denied service connection for bladder cancer, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) as there is no evidence to support a link between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.
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