The Board granted an effective date of August 24, 2021, for a 70 percent rating for major depressive disorder with anxious distress and denied initial ratings in excess of 10 percent for left knee strain, right knee strain, and lumbosacral strain.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's MDD was found to be manifested by occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas throughout the appeal period, warranting a 70 percent rating. The evidence did not support higher ratings for the knee and lumbosacral strains based on the criteria provided under the applicable diagnostic codes.
- Claimed conditions
- Major Depressive Disorder with Anxious Distress (MDD), Left Knee Strain, Right Knee Strain, Lumbosacral Strain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 14, 2025
- Citation
- A25034162
What this means for you
A partial grant means some issues were granted while others were denied or remanded — common in multi-issue claims. Look at which issues went which way, and how each was argued.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Partly granted
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, except for a 20 percent rating for lumbosacral strain.
- Partly granted
The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and erectile dysfunction, but granted an increased rating of 40 percent for a low back disability (intervertebral disc syndrome) and 20 percent for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for further development and to ensure compliance with VA's duty to assist.
- Partly granted
The Board granted an increased evaluation of 70 percent for the service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), but remanded other issues for further development.
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