The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for major depressive disorder with alcohol abuse and degenerative disc disease, lumbar spine were denied. The evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.
The deciding factor: The symptoms of depression and lumbar spine disability did not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating as per the relevant VA rating criteria.
- Claimed conditions
- Major Depressive Disorder with Alcohol Abuse, Degenerative Disc Disease, Lumbar Spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 24, 2017
- Citation
- 1705745
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 1705745.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Veteran's major depressive disorder with alcohol abuse is currently rated at 30 percent, which reflects the severity of his symptoms resulting in occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's back disability was rated at 10 percent from August 31, 2009, to February 18, 2010, and May 1, 2010, to October 9, 2019. After October 9, 2019, the Veteran's disability was rated at 20 percent.,The Veteran is seeking a higher rating for his back disability after October 9, 2019.
- Denied
The Veteran's degenerative disc disease, lumbar spine is currently rated at 20 percent and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record. The Veteran’s forward flexion was found to be up to 40 degrees with pain in the December 2019 VA examination.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities.
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