The Veteran's service connection claim for chronic low back pain was denied as there is no evidence of a low back disability related to his military service.,The Veteran's depression rating was denied as the symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating, with occupational and social impairment in most areas but not total occupational and social impairment.,The Veteran's left knee disability ratings were denied as they do not exceed 10 percent due to pain, limitation of motion, and slight instability without further functional impairment.,The Veteran's right knee disability ratings were denied for the same reasons as his left knee disability.
The deciding factor: There is no evidence that the Veteran’s chronic low back pain began during or was otherwise related to his military service. The symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating, with occupational and social impairment in most areas but not total occupational and social impairment.,The Veteran's depression manifested as occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, school, family relations judgment, thinking, or mood, due to symptoms like suicidal ideation, obsessional rituals, near-continuous panic or depression affecting the ability to function independently, appropriately and effectively. The symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's left knee disability ratings were 10 percent each as they do not exceed this level based on pain, limitation of motion, and slight instability without further functional impairment. The symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's right knee disability ratings were also 10 percent each due to similar reasons: pain, limitation of motion, and slight instability without further functional impairment. The symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.
- Claimed conditions
- chronic low back pain, depression, left knee chondromalacia and degenerative joint disease, right knee degenerative joint disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 28, 2020
- Citation
- 20029892
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 20029892.
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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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