The Board granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities beginning August 14, 2018, and special monthly compensation at the statutory housebound rate beginning July 23, 2019. Other claims for increased ratings were denied.

The deciding factor: The Veteran's major depressive disorder did not more closely approximate total occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, and he was already receiving the maximum rating for his service-connected bilateral pes planus. The knee ligamentous strains only caused slight recurrent subluxation or lateral instability, and flexion limited to 45 degrees or less, without additional functional loss due to pain.

Claimed conditions

Major depressive disorder, Bilateral pes planus, Left knee ligamentous strain with instability, Right knee ligamentous strain with effusion and instability, Left knee ligamentous strain with limitation of flexion, Right knee ligamentous strain with effusion and limitation of flexion, Left knee ligamentous strain with limitation of extension, Obstructive sleep apnea (secondary to service-connected disabilities), Fibromyalgia (secondary to service-connected bilateral ankle and knee disabilities), Left ankle strain

How they argued it

Direct service connection

Exposure basis

None

Rating assigned

None in this decision

Decision date

November 10, 2025

Citation

A25097647

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