The Veteran's major depressive disorder was rated at 70 percent prior to September 15, 2018. The RO granted a temporary 100 percent rating for total left knee arthroplasty from January 16, 2014 to February 28, 2018 and granted separate ratings of 30 percent for left knee osteoarthritis with total left knee arthroplasty (left knee disability) and a 20 percent rating for instability of the left knee. The RO also granted a 30 percent rating for right knee disability from March 1, 2018 and a separate 20 percent rating for instability of the right knee.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's major depressive disorder was rated at 70 percent prior to September 15, 2018 due to occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. The RO granted temporary and permanent ratings based on the severity of his left knee disability and instability.
- Claimed conditions
- Major depressive disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 70%
- Decision date
- October 2, 2020
- Citation
- 20064394
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.
- Granted
The Board granted initial ratings of 40 percent for lumbar spine disorder, 70 percent for major depressive disorder, and 40 percent for left lower extremity radiculopathy. TDIU and SMC based on housebound status were also granted.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, currently diagnosed as other specified trauma and stressor related disorder and major depressive disorder.
- Partly granted
The Board granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) but denied service connection for PTSD and a higher rating for the unspecified trauma and stressor related disorder/major depressive disorder/insomnia.
- Denied
The Board denied an effective date earlier than April 9, 2024, for the assignment of a 70 percent evaluation for insomnia disorder with generalized anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder.
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