The veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability was granted, with his combined disability rating reaching 90 percent due to the addition of service-connected major depressive disorder. The decision also addressed whether new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen the back disability claim.
The deciding factor: Service connection was established for major depressive disorder, which raised the veteran's combined disability rating to 90 percent, meeting the criteria for a TDIU.
- Claimed conditions
- back disability, residuals of a stroke, bilateral pes planus, fracture of the left wrist, laxity of the right knee, arthritis of the right knee, degenerative joint disease of the left knee, noncompensable rating for bilateral otitis media, major depressive disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 90%
- Decision date
- October 17, 2008
- Citation
- 0835829
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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 0835829.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for specially-adapted housing assistance and a special home adaptation grant was denied because he does not meet the criteria for either benefit based on his service-connected disabilities.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, is being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding his alleged stressors.
- Granted
The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims of service connection for a back disability, endometriosis, thyroid condition, and chronic fatigue syndrome due to new evidence submitted since the last final denial. The claims are now considered on their merits.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete service treatment records and a need for additional VA examination. The Veteran's back disability is being reviewed again with new evidence.
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