The Veteran's claim for increased ratings was denied, with the exception of a grant of a 50% rating for depression effective January 30, 2012. The Veteran is not entitled to a higher rating for his depressive disorder.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not show that the Veteran's symptoms meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic code.
- Claimed conditions
- depression, right knee meniscal tear with degenerative joint disease, peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities, dextroscoliosis, Grade I anterior listhesis L4-5 with degenerative changes, left knee laxity, right wrist scar
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 70%
- Decision date
- November 15, 2017
- Citation
- 1752447
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 1752447.
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 remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining in-service psychiatric treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorder.
- Denied
The Veteran's depression was rated at 50 percent prior to July 1, 2016. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating due to occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. For TDIU, the Veteran had multiple service-connected disabilities but his education and work experience were sufficient for sedentary or light labor employment.
- Granted
The Veteran's depression was rated at 50 percent prior to September 27, 2017. From September 27, 2017, the rating for depression increased to 70 percent.
- Granted
The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for a left knee meniscal tear and denied his request for an increased rating for left knee laxity.
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