The Veteran's depressive disorder, NOS is granted as secondary to his service-connected back and right shoulder disabilities. The rating for spondylosis of the lumbar spine remains at 20 percent, while the rating for degenerative joint disease, right shoulder, also remains at 20 percent.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's depressive disorder was found to be secondary to his service-connected back and right shoulder disabilities. The ratings for both conditions remain unchanged as they do not meet criteria for higher evaluations.
- Claimed conditions
- Depressive Disorder NOS, Spondylosis of the Lumbar Spine, Degenerative Joint Disease, Right Shoulder
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- December 26, 2018
- Citation
- 18160214
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 18160214.
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.
- Partly granted
The Board granted readjudication of the previously denied claim for service connection for PTSD and adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depression, but denied a compensable disability rating for left ring finger ankylosis at proximal interphalangeal joint. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder was remanded.
- Granted
The Board granted an earlier effective date of November 3, 2010, for the award of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD.
- Granted
The Veteran's left knee disability is granted a 60% evaluation, effective from the date of claim. The right shoulder disability remains at 20%. Other claims for service connection are remanded.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date of February 1, 1993, for service connection due to PTSD with depressive disorder NOS and anxiety disorder NOS based on a finding of no clear and unmistakable error in the August 1993 rating decision.
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