The Veteran's left thumb and knee disabilities are each rated at the minimum compensable level. The Veteran's major depressive disorder is rated at 50 percent effective October 7, 2016.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations did not find any additional functional loss or instability beyond what was already established in previous evaluations.
- Claimed conditions
- Left Thumb Tendon Release with Residual Surgical Scar, Chondromalacia of the Left Knee
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- August 24, 2017
- Citation
- 1734943
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 1734943.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including Multiple Sclerosis and detached retina, prevented him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation prior to September 5, 2019.
- Denied
The Board denied initial ratings in excess of 20 percent for bilateral shoulder disabilities, lumbar strain, degenerative disc disease (cervical spine), chondromalacia of the left knee, patellofemoral syndrome of the right knee, and right ankle disability. The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not warrant higher ratings based on limitation of motion.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment, thus meeting the criteria for a TDIU.
- Granted
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities have been granted, with the right knee instability and chondromalacia rated at 20 percent effective March 27, 2015. The left knee instability and chondromalacia are also rated at 20 percent effective that date.
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