The Board has granted an effective date of April 30, 2001 for service connection for Major Depression associated with Degenerative Disc Disease of the Lumbar Spine. The Veteran's claim was received on December 20, 1991 and entitlement arose on February 12, 2000.
The deciding factor: The effective date is assigned based on the earliest date that it is ascertainable that the Veteran's depression was related to his low back disorder - i.e., February 12, 2000. The award of service connection for Major Depression as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability predicated a grant of service connection for the lumbar spine disability on April 30, 2001.
- Claimed conditions
- Major Depression, Degenerative Disc Disease of the Lumbar Spine
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- July 20, 2010
- Citation
- 1027085
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 1027085.
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.
- Dismissed
The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, Major Depression, and Panic Disorder due to his withdrawal of these issues prior to a decision being made.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected major depression and anxiety disorder are considered part of his service-connected peripheral neuropathy, which already qualifies him for SMC(l). Therefore, he is not eligible for a higher rate of SMC.
- Denied
The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, is rated at 70 percent. The Board denied an initial evaluation in excess of 70 percent.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for PTSD with major depression, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his military service and resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the claimant.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.