The Veteran's initial rating for the psychiatric disorder is denied, and a higher rating of 70% is also denied. For the increased rating period on appeal from January 11, 2018, a 20% disability rating for right knee meniscus tear and ACL repair is granted.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's psychiatric disorder did not meet or more nearly approximate the criteria for a higher 70 percent disability rating due to occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas. The right knee disability met the criteria for a 20% disability rating based on frequent episodes of joint 'locking', pain, and effusion.
- Claimed conditions
- adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, right knee meniscus tear and ACL repair, rhinitis
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- December 28, 2023
- Citation
- A23037464
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 A23037464.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Veteran's rhinitis and gastric ulcer with hiatal hernia were evaluated, but the Board found that neither condition warranted a higher rating.,For rhinitis, the evidence did not show greater than 50 percent obstruction of both nasal passages or complete obstruction on one side. For gastric ulcer with hiatal hernia, symptoms were described as infrequent and mild.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, along with alcohol use disorder, has been granted a 100% evaluation effective from April 8, 2021. The disability causes total occupational and social impairment.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for sinusitis and rhinitis on a direct basis, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his active duty service, including exposure to environmental factors during Operation Desert Storm.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete findings and failure to properly address the onset, cause, and nature of his conditions. The VA will need to schedule examinations to determine if his rhinitis and bilateral hand disabilities are related to service.
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