The Veteran's initial compensable rating for vitiligo and service connection for a left knee disorder are dismissed. Service connection for depression and anxiety is granted, with an initial 20 percent rating for lumbar disc disease from May 2, 2016 to January 23, 2020.
The deciding factor: The Veteran withdrew his claims of an initial compensable rating for vitiligo and service connection for a left knee disorder during the Board hearing. Service connection for depression and anxiety is granted based on evidence showing symptoms present during service and continuing post-service. The initial 20 percent rating for lumbar disc disease from May 2, 2016 to January 23, 2020, remains in effect.
- Claimed conditions
- vitiligo, left knee disorder, depression, lumbar disc disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- November 2, 2022
- Citation
- 22061418
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 22061418.
What this means for you
A dismissal means the Board did not decide the issue on its merits — usually because it was withdrawn or had become moot. It says more about procedure than about whether a claim like this can win.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and providing proper notice regarding secondary service connection.
- 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.
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