The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression is denied as he does not have a current diagnosis of depression.,The Veteran's right hip disability was previously rated at 30 percent prior to February 3, 2016. From April 1, 2017, the rating has been increased to 50 percent due to moderately severe residuals of weakness, pain, or limitation of motion.,The Veteran's left hip disability is currently rated as 10 percent disabling and does not warrant a higher rating based on the evidence provided.,The Veteran's back disability is currently rated at 10 percent and does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.,The Veteran's sciatica in the right lower extremity warrants a 20 percent rating as it manifests with moderate incomplete paralysis.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not establish that the Veteran had a current diagnosis of depression, and his symptoms are better explained by his service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).,After hip arthroplasty in February 2016, the Veteran's right hip disability has moderately severe residuals of weakness, pain, or limitation of motion from April 1, 2017.,The Veteran’s left hip disability does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as there is no evidence of flexion limited to 30 degrees or functional loss resulting in an approximation of such limitation.,The Veteran's back disability does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes, including unfavorable ankylosis of the entire spine.,The Veteran’s sciatica in the right lower extremity warrants a 20 percent rating as it manifests with moderate incomplete paralysis.
- Claimed conditions
- depression, right hip disability, left hip disability, back disability, sciatica in the right lower extremity
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- May 31, 2018
- Citation
- 18106440
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 18106440.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: 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.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims of service connection for a back disability, endometriosis, thyroid condition, and chronic fatigue syndrome due to new evidence submitted since the last final denial. The claims are now considered on their merits.
- Whole decision: 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.
- Whole decision: 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.
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.