The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is granted as secondary to service-connected disabilities. The thoracolumbar spine disability and sciatica of the left lower extremity are each rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.
The deciding factor: The evidence shows that the Veteran’s depressive disorder was aggravated by his service-connected low back and left knee disabilities, warranting service connection. The thoracolumbar spine disability and sciatica of the left lower extremity are each rated at 20 percent based on their respective Diagnostic Codes, which is the maximum rating under these codes.
- Claimed conditions
- depressive disorder, thoracolumbar spine disability, sciatica of the left lower extremity
- How they argued it
- Aggravation of a pre-existing condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- October 25, 2018
- Citation
- 18144778
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 18144778.
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.
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- 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 Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for cervical and thoracolumbar spine disabilities due to a predecisional duty to assist error. The Veteran's past medical history needs to be considered in the new examination.
- 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.
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