The Board denied earlier effective dates for the grant of service connection for unspecified depressive disorder and denied increased ratings for lumbar strain with intervertebral disc syndrome, radiculopathy of both lower extremities, and unspecified depressive disorder. The 20 percent rating for lumbar strain with IVDS was restored.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not support an earlier effective date or higher ratings based on the current state of the Veteran's conditions.
- Claimed conditions
- unspecified depressive disorder (claimed as anxiety and depression), lumbar strain with intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), radiculopathy, left lower extremity, radiculopathy, right lower extremity
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 24, 2024
- Citation
- A24068494
What this means for you
A partial grant means some issues were granted while others were denied or remanded — common in multi-issue claims. Look at which issues went which way, and how each was argued.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities and special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance, pending implementation of an earlier effective date for urge incontinence.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for GERD, to include as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and denied increased ratings for chronic sinusitis, bilateral plantar fasciitis with heel bone spurs, lumbar strain with IVDS, left knee limitation of flexion, and remanded claims for vertigo.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for radiculopathy, as there was no evidence of a current diagnosis of radiculopathy.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the issues of entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbar strain with intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) for the period prior to September 17, 2013, and a rating in excess of 40 percent for the same condition from September 17, 2013, as additional medical evidence is needed.
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