The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection of negative psychological effects secondary to his service-connected disabilities. The Board also granted a 20% disability evaluation for residuals of fracture of the right tibia, but noted that separate ratings were assigned for the right knee and ankle conditions.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner found no evidence linking the veteran's depressive disorder to his service-connected disabilities, leading to denial of this claim. The Board also upheld the 20% rating for residuals of fracture of the right tibia based on the current symptoms and X-ray findings.
- Claimed conditions
- Depressive disorder, Residuals of fracture of the right tibia
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- December 12, 2008
- Citation
- 0842931
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 0842931.
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 has identified a contradiction in the AOJ's determinations regarding the Veteran's need for aid and assistance, which requires clarification. The remanded issues are entitlement to SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another and on the basis of statutory housebound status.
- Denied
The Veteran is found not competent to handle the disbursement of VA funds, and his appeal is denied.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) due to being housebound is denied because he does not have a single service-connected disability rated as total, and his disabilities are not separate and distinct from the maximum combined rating of 100 percent.
- Granted
The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depressive disorder. The evidence is at least in balance regarding whether his current conditions are related to his military service.
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