The Veteran's service connection claims for multiple sclerosis, depressive disorder, thoracolumbar spine disorders (other than lumbar spine degenerative disc disease with spondylosis), right knee disorder, left knee disorder, and bipolar disorder have been granted. The issues of service connection for other lumbar spine disorders are remanded.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's conditions were found to be related to his period of active duty service or secondary to another condition he was already service-connected for.
- Claimed conditions
- Bipolar Disorder, Depressive Disorder, Left Knee Disorder, Multiple Sclerosis, Right Knee Disorder, Thoracolumbar Spine Disorder (other than service-connected lumbar spine degenerative disc disease with spondylosis)
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 28, 2019
- Citation
- 19114958
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 961 · Granted: 20% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 19114958.
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 has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining records of the Appellant's reserve component service and conducting a VA examination to determine if her multiple sclerosis is related to service.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for service connection for PTSD has been dismissed as the claim was granted and effective from February 22, 2023.
- Granted
The Veteran's psychiatric disorder, specifically depressive disorder, is rated at 70 percent effective from August 3, 2021. The claim for a higher rating remains denied.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's service-connected Depressive Disorder is causing him to require regular assistance in keeping himself clean and presentable, which may qualify him for special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance. The case is being remanded to schedule a VA examination to assess this issue.
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