The Veteran's depressive disorder with anxious distress was granted a 70% rating effective January 4, 2016.,A separate 10% rating for left knee instability is also granted.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's symptoms of depression and anxiety have resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, warranting the higher rating. The left knee condition has been rated based on limitation of motion alone.
- Claimed conditions
- Unspecified depressive disorder with anxious distress, Left knee with chronic chondromalacia patella
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 70%
- Decision date
- April 5, 2023
- Citation
- 23020849
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 23020849.
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 Veteran's claim for an increased rating of 70 percent for unspecified depressive disorder with anxious distress is granted, effective December 21, 2024. The claim for service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is denied.
- Granted
The Veteran's rating for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity was restored to 20 percent, effective February 24, 2020. The Veteran's depressive disorder and scars were all granted increased ratings.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and benefits related to his PTSD are being remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. Specifically, the AOJ should obtain records from the Vet Center.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his depressive disorder, lumbosacral strain with IVDS, and sciatic radiculopathy have been remanded by the Board due to procedural issues. The initial evaluation for unspecified depressive disorder remains denied.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.