Service connection for depression is granted. The claims for higher initial disability ratings for right ankle and left knee disabilities, as well as the claim for an earlier effective date for left knee scar, are dismissed. Service connection for a right knee disability and a left ankle disability is remanded. The claim for an increased rating for tinnitus is denied. The claim for an increased rating for sinusitis is denied.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's depression was found to be caused by his service-connected disabilities, including right ankle and left knee conditions.
- Claimed conditions
- depression, right ankle degenerative joint disease, left knee degenerative joint disease (status post total knee replacement), allergic rhinitis, tinnitus, sinusitis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- September 20, 2018
- Citation
- 18137016
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 18137016.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to incomplete medical records and need for further examination.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, arthritis, and memory loss. The decision found no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.
- Granted
The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The issues of foot disability and cardiovascular disorder are remanded for additional development.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran experienced tinnitus during his active duty service.
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