The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of May 12, 2021 for the assignment of a 70 percent disability rating for recurrent major depressive disorder is granted. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings are denied.
The deciding factor: The effective date was determined based on the date of receipt of the claim for the 70 percent disability rating for recurrent major depressive disorder, which is May 12, 2021.
- Claimed conditions
- Recurrent major depressive disorder, Lumbosacral strain, Right lower extremity radiculopathy of sciatic nerve, Right hip strain with limited extension, Left hip strain with limited extension, Right hip strain with limited adduction, Left hip strain with limited adduction, Right tibia stress fracture and right knee strain with degenerative arthritis, Left knee strain with tibial stress fracture
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 70%
- Decision date
- February 25, 2026
- Citation
- A26017176
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 A26017176.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for the lumbar spine disability prior to October 11, 2022 and since December 1, 2022. The Veteran's claim is currently rated at 10 percent under Diagnostic Code 5242.
- Granted
The Board has restored the Veteran's 70 percent rating for recurrent major depressive disorder, effective October 1, 2021, as the reduction was improper and his symptoms did not improve.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability, diagnosed as degenerative arthritis and a lumbosacral strain, is at least as likely as not related to his active service. As such, the claim for service connection is granted.
- Granted
The Board has restored the Veteran's 70 percent rating for recurrent major depressive disorder, effective October 1, 2021, as the reduction was improper and his symptoms did not improve.
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