The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and reflex sympathetic dystrophy are all granted. The Veteran is also granted a TDIU effective March 28, 2012. However, the Veteran's disability rating for degenerative disc disease lumbar spine discectomy intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) from March 28, 2012 through November 31, 2014 is denied.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not support an earlier effective date than September 3, 2013 for left lower extremity radiculopathy. The Veteran's major depressive disorder and reflex sympathetic dystrophy are linked to his service-connected lumbar spine disability. The Veteran's IVDS rating is denied as the evidence does not show unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine.
- Claimed conditions
- left lower extremity radiculopathy, major depressive disorder, reflex sympathetic dystrophy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- November 12, 2019
- Citation
- A19002728
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,249 · Granted: 37% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 A19002728.
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.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for specially-adapted housing assistance and a special home adaptation grant was denied because he does not meet the criteria for either benefit based on his service-connected disabilities.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, is being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding his alleged stressors.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder and major depressive disorder has been dismissed as the appellant requested withdrawal of the appeal.
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