This appeal is dismissed. The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for the post-surgical status of his left knee menisci and cruciate ligament, as well as degenerative arthritis of his left knee, are dismissed. His claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for major depressive disorder is denied.,Entitlement to a compensable rating for post-surgical scars of the left knee is remanded. The Veteran's entitlement to service connection for diabetes mellitus and hypertension is also remanded. Entitlement to a rating in excess of 70 percent for major depressive disorder is remanded, as well as whether the Veteran was properly compensated for his dependent spouse.,Entitlement to service connection for post-surgical scars of the left knee is remanded. The Veteran's entitlement to service connection for diabetes mellitus and hypertension is also remanded. Entitlement to a rating in excess of 70 percent for major depressive disorder is remanded, as well as whether the Veteran was properly compensated for his dependent spouse.
The deciding factor: The appeals were dismissed because the Veteran withdrew his claims related to these issues at his hearing.,For these issues, the Veteran's claim was remanded due to procedural and evidentiary deficiencies. The Veteran needs further examination and evidence to support his claims.,For these issues, the Veteran's claim was remanded due to procedural and evidentiary deficiencies. The Veteran needs further examination and evidence to support his claims.
- Claimed conditions
- Post-operative prosthetic reconstruction of the medial and lateral menisci and anterior cruciate ligament of the left knee, Degenerative arthritis of the left knee, Major depressive disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 17, 2018
- Citation
- 18103192
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 18103192.
What this means for you
A dismissal means the Board did not decide the issue on its merits — usually because it was withdrawn or had become moot. It says more about procedure than about whether a claim like this can win.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder does not render him in need of regular aid and attendance or confined to his home, thus SMC based on housebound status and/or need for regular aid and attendance is denied.
- Granted
The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) at the (o) rate and SMC at the (r)(2) rate, effective January 19, 2025. The decision finds that the Veteran's service-connected conditions warrant these awards due to his need for aid and attendance.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder, as secondary to his already service-connected hearing loss and tinnitus.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for major depressive disorder, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis is related to his in-service harassment. Service connection was denied for a binge eating disorder as there is no evidence of such a condition.
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