The Veteran's depression is granted as secondary to his service-connected DDD of the thoracolumbar spine. Service connection for left and right knee disabilities remains denied, but a higher evaluation (40%) is granted for DDD of the thoracolumbar spine.
The deciding factor: Service connection for depression was granted as it is related to the Veteran's service-connected DDD of the thoracolumbar spine. The claims for left and right knee disabilities remain denied due to lack of evidence linking them to service or service-connected conditions. A higher evaluation (40%) was granted for DDD of the thoracolumbar spine based on its current severity.
- Claimed conditions
- depression, left knee, status-post arthroscopy, right knee, status-post arthroscopy, DDD (degenerative disc disease), thoracolumbar spine, status-post laminectomy
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- April 14, 2020
- Citation
- 20025387
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 20025387.
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 remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining in-service psychiatric treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorder.
- Denied
The Veteran's depression was rated at 50 percent prior to July 1, 2016. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating due to occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. For TDIU, the Veteran had multiple service-connected disabilities but his education and work experience were sufficient for sedentary or light labor employment.
- Granted
The Veteran's depression was rated at 50 percent prior to September 27, 2017. From September 27, 2017, the rating for depression increased to 70 percent.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals were dismissed due to the death of the appellant. The issues related to service connection for various conditions and disability ratings.
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