The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, and major depressive disorder with anxious distress have been granted. The initial rating for the major depressive disorder has been increased to 50 percent.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence supports a finding that the Veteran's psychiatric condition is related to his service-connected lumbar spine disability, resulting in reduced reliability and productivity as evidenced by intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks.
- Claimed conditions
- Lumbar spine disability, Left lower extremity radiculopathy, Right lower extremity radiculopathy, Major depressive disorder with anxious distress
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 50%
- Decision date
- July 21, 2023
- Citation
- 23040226
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 23040226.
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.
- Granted
The Board has granted effective dates of July 10, 2024 for service connection for PTSD, lumbar strain, and left lower extremity radiculopathy.
- Denied
The Veteran's major depressive disorder with anxious distress is rated at 30 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted.
- Denied
The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy was evaluated at a 20 percent rating, and the Board found that it did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew the claims for psychiatric disability and sleep apnea.,Service connection was granted for right lower extremity radiculopathy and left lower extremity radiculopathy secondary to a service-connected back disability, but denied for right wrist disability.
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