A rating in excess of 20 percent for a left shoulder disability and a rating in excess of 50 percent for sleep apnea have been withdrawn.,The Veteran's major depressive disorder is now rated at 100 percent since April 30, 2012. This also grants special monthly compensation based on housebound criteria and basic eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's major depressive disorder was found to be of such a nature and severity that it is permanent in nature and reasonably certain to continue throughout his lifetime, warranting the highest disability rating.
- Claimed conditions
- Major depressive disorder, Left shoulder disability, Sleep apnea
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 100%
- Decision date
- May 9, 2022
- Citation
- 22027224
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 22027224.
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.
- 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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for sleep apnea and acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) due to insufficient evidence of record. The Veteran is required to undergo VA examinations to determine if his conditions are related to 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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