The Veteran's dysthymia is rated at 70 percent, but not total disability.,His lumbar spine degenerative disease with IVDS (ranging from 50 to 100 percent) and right lower extremity radiculopathy are both granted increased ratings.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's dysthymia does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as it is not total disability.,The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative disease with IVDS (ranging from 50 to 100 percent) and right lower extremity radiculopathy are both granted increased ratings.
- Claimed conditions
- Dysthymia, Lumbar Spine Degenerative Disease with IVDS (Radiculopathy), Left Knee Degenerative Disease, Right Knee Degenerative Disease
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 13, 2024
- Citation
- 24011922
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 24011922.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected other specified trauma and stressor related disorder is granted at a 50% rating from July 21, 2011 to August 15, 2020. The Board also granted an effective date of February 9, 2006 for the grant of service connection.
- Denied
The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for PTSD and a TDIU were denied because he failed to report for a VA examination scheduled in October 2023 without providing good cause.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, dysthymia, and unspecified depressive disorder, as the evidence did not support a current diagnosis of PTSD or a link between any claimed in-service stressors and the Veteran's current psychiatric conditions.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, TBI, vision issues, and sleep apnea due to the lack of a current diagnosis. The claims for personality disorder, anxiety disorder, depression, and dysthymia were remanded.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.