The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for major depressive disorder was denied as his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a disability rating of 100 percent.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for surgical scars of the back was also denied, as there were no disabling effects not considered in ratings provided under other Diagnostic Codes.
The deciding factor: The Veteran’s symptoms did not cause the level of impairment required for a disability rating of 100 percent.,There are no disabling effects not considered in ratings provided under other Diagnostic Codes for the Veteran's surgical scars.
- Claimed conditions
- Major Depressive Disorder, Scars of the Back, Left Wrist Disability, Right Knee Disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 28, 2020
- Citation
- 20006949
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran was granted a disability rating of 70 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder and major depressive disorder, effective October 24, 2017. The Board also granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, left knee disability, and right knee disability. The claims for urinary frequency disability and residuals of a cholecystectomy were denied.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability due to the need for a more comprehensive medical examination and opinion.
- Partly granted
The Board granted increased ratings for the Veteran's left and right knee disabilities, including separate ratings for instability and meniscal conditions, but denied higher ratings for flexion limitations in both knees. The Board also granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities prior to December 1, 2021.
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