The Veteran's service-connected depressive disorder is granted as secondary to his other disabilities. The rhinitis with history of sinus infections, OSA, and tinnitus are all rated at the maximum allowed under current criteria. Service connection for scar from right great toe surgery is granted but not effective prior to April 24, 2015.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's depressive disorder was found to be secondary to his service-connected disabilities, which meets the requirement for service connection on an accrued basis. The other conditions were rated at their maximum allowable levels based on current criteria.
- Claimed conditions
- depressive disorder, rhinitis with history of sinus infections, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), tinnitus, arthritis, right great toe, scar, status post right great toe surgery
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- May 6, 2023
- Citation
- 23026530
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 23026530.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to incomplete medical records and need for further examination.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, arthritis, and memory loss. The decision found no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.
- Granted
The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The issues of foot disability and cardiovascular disorder are remanded for additional development.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran experienced tinnitus during his active duty service.
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