The Veteran's service-connected conditions prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, warranting a TDIU rating.
The deciding factor: The Veteran’s service-connected disabilities (major depressive disorder, lumbar spine condition, radiculopathy, arthritis, neuropathy, and sleep apnea) render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.
- Claimed conditions
- Major depressive disorder, Lumbar spine condition, Left lower extremity radiculopathy, Right lower extremity radiculopathy, Degenerative arthritis of the spine, Left lower peripheral neuropathy, Right lower peripheral neuropathy, Obstructive sleep apnea
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 70%
- Decision date
- January 5, 2021
- Citation
- 21000488
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 21000488.
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 service-connected major depressive disorder does not render him in need of regular aid and attendance or confined to his home, thus SMC based on housebound status and/or need for regular aid and attendance is denied.
- Granted
The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) at the (o) rate and SMC at the (r)(2) rate, effective January 19, 2025. The decision finds that the Veteran's service-connected conditions warrant these awards due to his need for aid and attendance.
- Granted
The Board has granted effective dates of July 10, 2024 for service connection for PTSD, lumbar strain, and left lower extremity radiculopathy.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder, as secondary to his already service-connected hearing loss and tinnitus.
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