The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted, and the AOJ will determine the effective date. The AOJ must also consider additional evidence received since the last decision for the issues of service connection for radiculopathy of the left upper extremity, right upper extremity, cervical spine condition, head injury due to motor vehicle accident, severe abrasions of the left arm, and osteoarthritis of the left little finger with boutonniere deformity.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.
- Claimed conditions
- Major Depressive Disorder, Degenerative Arthritis of the Lumbar Spine with Spondylolisthesis, Radiculopathy, Right Lower Extremity, Radiculopathy, Left Lower Extremity, Tinnitus, Severe Abrasions of the Left Arm, Osteoarthritis of the Left Little Finger with Boutonniere Deformity
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 1, 2022
- Citation
- 22061269
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 22061269.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.
- Granted
The Veteran's major depressive disorder is found to be caused by his service-connected low back and radiculopathy disabilities, which prevent him from doing enjoyable activities and daily living tasks.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for PTSD and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for a higher rating for PTSD and dismissed his appeals regarding increased ratings for tinnitus and a right hand disability due to lack of timely filing of Notice of Disagreement.
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