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 assigned
- 70%
- Decision date
- April 24, 2019
- Citation
- 19132122
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,092 · Granted: 42% (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 19132122.
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 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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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