The Veteran's major depressive disorder with anxiety is rated at 50 percent, which the Board finds insufficient to warrant a higher rating. The lumbar intervertebral disc syndrome with status post lumbar spondylolisthesis with surgical fusion of L5-S1 is also rated at 50 percent and similarly does not meet criteria for a higher rating.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's symptoms, including depression, anxiety, sleep impairment, and social isolation, do not warrant a higher than 50 percent disability rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.
- Claimed conditions
- Major depressive disorder, Lumbar intervertebral disc syndrome with status post lumbar spondylolisthesis with surgical fusion of L5-S1
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 50%
- Decision date
- November 29, 2024
- Citation
- A24079144
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 A24079144.
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 service-connected major depressive disorder does not render him in need of regular aid and attendance or confined to his home, thus SMC based on housebound status and/or need for regular aid and attendance is denied.
- Granted
The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) at the (o) rate and SMC at the (r)(2) rate, effective January 19, 2025. The decision finds that the Veteran's service-connected conditions warrant these awards due to his need for aid and attendance.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder, as secondary to his already service-connected hearing loss and tinnitus.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for major depressive disorder, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis is related to his in-service harassment. Service connection was denied for a binge eating disorder as there is no evidence of such a condition.
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