The Veteran's major depression and anxiety are rated at 70 percent since September 20, 2017. The lumbar spine disorder is rated at 40 percent effective from September 20, 2017. The right lower radiculopathy remains in excess of 20 percent.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's depression and anxiety do not meet the criteria for a higher rating as they do not result in total occupational and social impairment.
- Claimed conditions
- Major Depression with Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Lumbar Spondylosis, Disc Herniation, Right Lower Radiculopathy
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 70%
- Decision date
- November 16, 2018
- Citation
- 18151082
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 18151082.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment consistent with his educational and vocational background.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, right and left lower radiculopathy caused his obesity, which in turn led to obstructive sleep apnea. The Board granted entitlement to service connection for obstructive sleep apnea.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU have been remanded due to the need for new examinations to assess the current severity of his service-connected disabilities, including traumatic brain injury, migraine headaches, and major depression with generalized anxiety disorder.
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