The Veteran's depression symptoms have not reached a level of near-continuous panic or depression affecting her ability to function independently, appropriately, and effectively. The Veteran maintains her personal hygiene, can manage her financial affairs, has intact judgment and thinking, and has established effective relationships with family members.,For the period on appeal, the Veteran's right knee extension was 15 degrees during flare-ups and with repeated use over time, meeting the criteria for a 20 percent rating under DC 5261.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's depression symptoms have not reached the level of impairment required for a higher disability rating.
- Claimed conditions
- Depression, Right Knee Limited Extension, Left Knee Limited Extension, Right Knee DJD (Degenerative Joint Disease) - Limited Flexion, Left Knee DJD (Degenerative Joint Disease) - Limited Flexion, Right Knee Recurrent Subluxation, Left Knee Recurrent Subluxation
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 29, 2024
- Citation
- A24051106
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 A24051106.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
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 insufficient findings regarding PTSD and depression, requiring a new VA examination.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to errors in the AOJ's handling of the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, other specified trauma and stressor-related disorder, and depression. The AOJ is required to verify the Veteran's claimed stressor and obtain medical opinions regarding the diagnoses and their relation to service.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Anxiety, and Depression as these conditions are found to be related to the Veteran's active military service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Veteran's lay statements and medical records are considered in determining whether there is a nexus between current symptoms and service.
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