The Veteran's major depressive disorder is rated at 50 percent, but the Board found that her symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,Her lumbar spine degenerative disc disease with degenerative joint disease and levoscoliosis is currently rated at 10 percent. The Board determined that her symptoms do not warrant a higher rating.,Left lower extremity radiculopathy is rated at 20 percent, while right lower extremity radiculopathy is also rated at 20 percent.,Left knee osteoarthritis and right knee osteoarthritis are both currently rated at 10 percent.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's symptoms did not cause the level of impairment required for a disability rating of 70 percent or higher, which is necessary to grant an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for major depressive disorder.,Her lumbar spine degenerative disc disease with degenerative joint disease and levoscoliosis was rated at 10 percent because her symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on the severity, frequency, and duration of her symptoms.,The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy and right lower extremity radiculopathy were both rated at 20 percent as they caused occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.,Left knee osteoarthritis and right knee osteoarthritis were both rated at 10 percent because her symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on the severity, frequency, and duration of her symptoms.
- Claimed conditions
- Major Depressive Disorder, Lumbar Spine Degenerative Disc Disease with Degenerative Joint Disease and Levoscoliosis, Left Knee Osteoarthritis, Right Knee Osteoarthritis, Left Lower Extremity Radiculopathy, Right Lower Extremity Radiculopathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 50%
- Decision date
- September 9, 2024
- Citation
- A24054164
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 A24054164.
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's major depressive disorder is found to be caused by his service-connected low back and radiculopathy disabilities, which prevent him from doing enjoyable activities and daily living tasks.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for PTSD and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's erectile dysfunction is secondary to his service-connected major depressive disorder, and thus grants service connection for this condition.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for a 70 percent disability rating for his psychiatric disorder, including PTSD with MDD and anxiety, has been granted. However, the issue of entitlement to Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) is remanded due to procedural issues.
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