The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for costochondritis with soft tissue mass was denied as the disability is already rated at its maximum. The Veteran's claim for TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities, including costochondritis and depressive disorder, was granted.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's costochondritis with soft tissue mass is currently rated at 20% under Diagnostic Code 5321, which is the highest schedular rating available. The Veteran also has a 70% disability rating for his service-connected depressive disorder. Together, these disabilities meet the criteria for TDIU as they bring the combined rating to 70% or more.
- Claimed conditions
- costochondritis with soft tissue mass, depressive disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- August 30, 2018
- Citation
- 18130841
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 18130841.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's vascular headaches are granted effective August 22, 2011. A TDIU is granted effective February 11, 2015. SMC based on housebound criteria is denied prior to July 14, 2020.
- Granted
The Board has restored the Veteran's 100% rating for depressive disorder, effective August 1, 2020, as the reduction was improper and did not comply with applicable regulations.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for service connection for acquired psychiatric disability, including unspecified anxiety disorder, depressive disorder, kleptomania, and PTSD is being remanded due to the AOJ's failure to obtain medical records from his periods of incarceration or a medical opinion regarding his diagnoses.
- Granted
The Veteran was granted service connection for migraine headaches effective August 10, 2022.,The Veteran was granted service connection for depressive disorder effective April 11, 2024.
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