The Veteran's left knee meniscal tear was granted a separate 20 percent rating.,An initial disability rating greater than 30 percent for depressive disorder was denied.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks, as per DC 9434.
- Claimed conditions
- Left knee meniscal tear, Depressive disorder, Painful motion of left and right knee joint osteoarthritis, Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), Bilateral feet condition, to include plantar fasciitis with spurs, Recurrent migraine headaches
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 23, 2026
- Citation
- A26016139
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 A26016139.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
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- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has identified a contradiction in the AOJ's determinations regarding the Veteran's need for aid and assistance, which requires clarification. The remanded issues are entitlement to SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another and on the basis of statutory housebound status.
- Granted
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- Denied
The Veteran's claim for a higher level of SMC was denied as the Board found that he is already in receipt of SMC at the (l) rate based on need for regular aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease with congestive heart failure. A second award of SMC at the (l) rate based on need for regular aid and attendance was not warranted.
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