The Veteran's MDD is granted as secondary to her service-connected uterine condition.,Initial disability ratings for left and right knee strains are denied.,An initial disability rating of 50 percent for uterine fibroids is granted from January 1, 2016. The Veteran’s prior ratings were in effect until September 2, 2015.,Service connection for migraines and a respiratory disorder is remanded.,The Veteran's initial disability rating for her uterine condition was initially 30 percent from July 23, 2004 to March 27, 2005 and then increased to 50 percent from July 1, 2005 to September 1, 2015.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's MDD is proximately due to her service-connected uterine condition.,The Veteran’s left knee strain did not manifest ankylosis or instability. The right knee strain also did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 5261 (extension limited to 10 degrees).,The Veteran's uterine fibroids were resolved following surgery, and she is scheduled for a total abdominal hysterectomy.,Service connection for migraines and respiratory disorders are remanded as new evidence may be needed to support these claims.,The initial disability rating for the uterine condition was initially 30 percent from July 23, 2004 to March 27, 2005 and then increased to 50 percent from July 1, 2005 to September 1, 2015.
- Claimed conditions
- Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), Left knee strain, Right knee strain, Uterine fibroids
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- January 23, 2019
- Citation
- 19105010
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 remands the claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include MDD, as secondary to service-connected disabilities due to a duty to assist error.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including GAD, MDD, PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and foot disabilities. The claim for NSC pension benefits was dismissed as moot due to a higher disability rating.
- Granted
The Board granted an effective date of June 21, 2024, for the award of service connection for major depressive disorder (MDD).
- Partly granted
The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, while remanding claims for depression, anxiety, sleep disorder, right knee strain, left knee strain, and lumbar spine strain.
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.