The Veteran's depression NOS, opioid dependence on agonist treatment, benzodiazepine dependence associated with L1 fracture, lumbar spine is rated at 50 percent. The symptoms are significant but do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.
The deciding factor: The Veteran’s symptoms result in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50% rating.
- Claimed conditions
- Depression NOS, Opioid dependence on agonist treatment, Benzodiazepine dependence associated with L1 fracture, Lumbar spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 50%
- Decision date
- December 19, 2018
- Citation
- 18159232
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 18159232.
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 Board denied the appeal regarding whether there was clear and unmistakable error in the August 7, 2006 rating decision for service connection of mood disorder NOS with depression and anxiety. The effective date request is also denied.
- Dismissed
The Board dismissed the appeals regarding proposed reductions in ratings for right upper extremity radiculopathy and lumbar spine conditions due to procedural issues.
- Partly granted
The Board granted revision of the December 2018 rating decision that reduced the disability rating for lumbar spine from 20 percent to 10 percent, effective December 4, 2018, based on clear and unmistakable error (CUE). The March 2015 rating decision that assigned a 10 percent rating for left shoulder disability was denied as it did not meet the criteria for CUE.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the issue of an increased disability evaluation for lumbar spine due to procedural issues and the need for a new VA examination.
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