The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, left knee disability, right knee disability, diabetes mellitus, type II, peripheral neuropathy of the left foot, and peripheral neuropathy of the right foot claims have been reopened due to new and material evidence. The acquired psychiatric disorder claim is granted as it relates to major depressive disorder which was aggravated by service-connected tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss. The remaining issues are denied.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, left knee disability, right knee disability, diabetes mellitus, type II, peripheral neuropathy of the left foot, and peripheral neuropathy of the right foot claims have been reopened due to new and material evidence. However, the preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in service or are otherwise related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.
- Claimed conditions
- acquired psychiatric disorder, left knee disability, right knee disability, diabetes mellitus, type II, peripheral neuropathy, left foot, peripheral neuropathy, right foot
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 30, 2018
- Citation
- 18146147
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 18146147.
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 Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess his bilateral knee and hip disabilities.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case for additional development regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD.
- Partly granted
The Board has not made a final determination on the claims of service connection for inguinal hernia, PTSD, joint pain, fibromyalgia, left knee disability, right knee disability, tinnitus, chronic fatigue syndrome, respiratory disability, sleep disorder, IBS, and headaches. The claims are remanded to obtain additional evidence and determine if these conditions are related to service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient rationale in the July 2012 VA examination for the Veteran's left knee disability, and a new addendum opinion is needed.
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.