The Veteran's initial increased rating claim for dysthymic disorder from June 4, 2012 was denied. The Board found that the disability did not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating than 70 percent. The Veteran's entitlement to TDIU since June 4, 2012 was granted.
The deciding factor: The evidence showed occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas but not total occupational and social impairment, warranting only a 70% disability rating for dysthymic disorder.
- Claimed conditions
- dysthymic disorder, degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, right lower extremity radiculopathy, residuals of a left wrist sprain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 70%
- Decision date
- February 4, 2022
- Citation
- 22006646
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 22006646.
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.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals were dismissed due to the death of the appellant. The issues related to service connection for various conditions and disability ratings.
- 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.
- Granted
The Board has granted earlier effective dates for the grant of service connection for middle and index trigger finger/stenosing tenosynovitis of the right hand, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy. The earliest effective date is June 30, 2012, for the right hand condition and April 22, 2016, for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and DDD, as well as right and left lower extremity radiculopathy secondary to the now service-connected lumbar spine condition. The decision is based on a finding of relative equipoise in the evidence regarding whether these conditions are related to service.
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