The Veteran's major depressive disorder is granted a 70% disability rating from May 18, 2014 to August 18, 2023. The cervical spine degenerative arthritis and right upper extremity radiculopathy are both denied for the entire initial rating period.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's major depressive disorder has been found to meet the criteria for a 70% disability rating based on occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, warranting a higher 70% rating. The cervical spine degenerative arthritis and right upper extremity radiculopathy have not met or more nearly approximated the criteria for higher ratings.
- Claimed conditions
- Major depressive disorder, Cervical spine degenerative arthritis, Right upper extremity radiculopathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 70%
- Decision date
- November 15, 2023
- Citation
- 23061255
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 23061255.
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 Board granted initial ratings of 40 percent for lumbar spine disorder, 70 percent for major depressive disorder, and 40 percent for left lower extremity radiculopathy. TDIU and SMC based on housebound status were also granted.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, based on the Veteran's military service in Vietnam.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, currently diagnosed as other specified trauma and stressor related disorder and major depressive disorder.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for PTSD and major depressive disorder, finding that these conditions originated during active service. The claims for a recurrent sleep disability and a recurrent respiratory disability were remanded for further development.
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