The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were granted, with some issues being resolved in his favor. His cervical spine disability was rated at 10 percent from August 15, 2013 to June 20, 2016, and at 70 percent after March 23, 2015. His lumbar spine disability was also rated at 10 percent for the same period. The Veteran's major depressive disorder received a rating of 70 percent from August 15, 2013 to March 23, 2015, and a 100 percent rating after that date. TDIU was granted prior to March 23, 2015, but dismissed on or after that date.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's conditions were rated based on the severity of his symptoms as per VA guidelines, with some issues resolved in favor due to the nature and duration of his service-connected disabilities.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine, Degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, Major depressive disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- April 24, 2019
- Citation
- 19132122
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,092 · Granted: 42% (granted or partly granted, in the indexed 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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 19132122.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder does not render him in need of regular aid and attendance or confined to his home, thus SMC based on housebound status and/or need for regular aid and attendance is denied.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) at the (o) rate and SMC at the (r)(2) rate, effective January 19, 2025. The decision finds that the Veteran's service-connected conditions warrant these awards due to his need for aid and attendance.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder, as secondary to his already service-connected hearing loss and tinnitus.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for major depressive disorder, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis is related to his in-service harassment. Service connection was denied for a binge eating disorder as there is no evidence of such a condition.
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