Service connection is granted for major depressive disorder and the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine, bilateral knee, and bilateral foot disorders are found to be the primary cause of his current major depressive disorder. The Veteran's other service-connected conditions do not warrant an increased rating.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner concluded that the Veteran’s major depressive disorder is secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine, bilateral knee, and bilateral foot disabilities due to their impact on his ability to work and maintain a stable income.
- Claimed conditions
- right lower extremity disorder, major depressive disorder, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, degenerative arthritis of the right knee, patellofemoral syndrome and osteoarthritis of the left knee, osteoarthritis of the right foot, osteoarthritis of the left foot
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- August 7, 2018
- Citation
- 18124605
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 18124605.
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.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for specially-adapted housing assistance and a special home adaptation grant was denied because he does not meet the criteria for either benefit based on his service-connected disabilities.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, is being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding his alleged stressors.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various hip and lower extremity disorders, including as secondary to a lumbar spine disorder. The case is being returned to the AOJ for further action.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder and major depressive disorder has been dismissed as the appellant requested withdrawal of the appeal.
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