The Board denied an increased rating for the Veteran's left knee condition and remanded the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and major depressive disorder.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not support a higher rating or separate ratings for the left knee condition, and the Veteran was entitled to a VA examination for her claimed acquired psychiatric disorder.
- Claimed conditions
- Left knee condition, Acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and major depressive disorder)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- October 1, 2020
- Citation
- 20063926
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Partly granted
The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the claims for other specified depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, somatic symptom disorder, alcohol use disorder, left hip condition, left knee condition, left lower extremity radiculopathy, left upper extremity radiculopathy, right hip condition, right knee condition, right lower extremity radiculopathy, right upper extremity radiculopathy, shin splints, left leg, shin splints, right leg, and traumatic brain injury (TBI) for further development.
- Partly granted
The Veteran's service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is granted an evaluation of 70 percent disabling, but no higher. Other claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied or remanded.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and related conditions have been found to warrant a 70 percent rating, but no higher. Additionally, the Veteran is granted a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected disabilities.
- Partly granted
The Board granted a 100 percent rating for PTSD with alcohol use disorder, cannabis use disorder, and cocaine use disorder from April 26, 2021, and an effective date of the same day for DEA benefits. The claim for TDIU was dismissed as moot.
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