The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder, right and left knee disabilities are rated based on their current manifestations. The Board has remanded the issues of secondary service connection for back disability and bilateral leg disability as well as evaluations in excess of 30 percent for major depressive disorder, 20 percent for each knee instability issue, and 10 percent for each knee limitation of motion issue.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation under any applicable diagnostic codes due to lack of evidence supporting additional disability beyond what is already reflected in her current ratings.
- Claimed conditions
- Major depressive disorder, Back disability, Bilateral leg disability
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 18, 2021
- Citation
- 21009078
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 21009078.
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.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder does not render him in need of regular aid and attendance or confined to his home, thus SMC based on housebound status and/or need for regular aid and attendance is denied.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a back disability, finding that there was no evidence to support a nexus between his current condition and active duty service.
- Granted
The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) at the (o) rate and SMC at the (r)(2) rate, effective January 19, 2025. The decision finds that the Veteran's service-connected conditions warrant these awards due to his need for aid and attendance.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder, as secondary to his already service-connected hearing loss and tinnitus.
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