The Board granted a 70 percent rating for major depressive disorder from January 31, 2020, and denied ratings in excess of 30 percent prior to that date. The Board also granted a 30 percent rating for left and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy starting May 12, 2021.
The deciding factor: The persuasive weight of the evidence is in approximate balance that the Veteran's symptoms were severe enough to warrant a higher rating after January 31, 2020, but not before. The Board also found that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy warranted a 30 percent rating as of May 12, 2021.
- Claimed conditions
- major depressive disorder, non-hodgkin's lymphoma, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy of the anterior tibial, external popliteal, internal popliteal, posterior tibial, and musculocutaneous nerves, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy of the anterior tibial, external popliteal, internal popliteal, posterior tibial, and musculocutaneous nerves, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy of the anterior crural nerve, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy of the anterior crural nerve, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy of the external cutaneous nerve of the thigh, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy of the external cutaneous nerve of the thigh
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 14, 2025
- Citation
- A25034250
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.
- Dismissed
The claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for major depressive disorder is dismissed as moot because the earliest effective date was granted during the pendency of this appeal.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for multiple conditions, including an acquired psychiatric disorder, sleep apnea, hypertension, and various musculoskeletal and skin disabilities.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for right and left hip degenerative arthritis as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right ankle and knee conditions, and major depressive disorder as secondary to his service-connected knee and ankle conditions. The Board also granted a 10 percent rating for allergic rhinitis.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for major depressive disorder as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected tinnitus.
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