The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's service-connected conditions, except for a 20 percent rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve) and left lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve), which was granted from January 21, 2020, to October 11, 2020. The Board also granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.
The deciding factor: The severity of the Veteran's symptoms did not more closely approximate the criteria required for higher ratings during the relevant periods, except for the sciatic nerve radiculopathy from January 21, 2020, to October 11, 2020, which was granted due to moderate incomplete paralysis.
- Claimed conditions
- Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), Degenerative arthritis of the spine with intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) and pars defect with anterolisthesis of L5-S1 with spinal fusion, Right lower extremity radiculopathy (femoral nerve), Left lower extremity radiculopathy (femoral nerve), Right lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve), Left lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 26, 2025
- Citation
- 25002837
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 835 · Granted: 22% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 25002837.
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.
- Denied
The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including GAD, MDD, bruxism, migraines/headaches, tinnitus, hip pain, iliotibial band syndrome, and leg stress fractures. The evidence does not support current diagnoses of these conditions during the appeal period.
- Granted
The Veteran's Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is found to have begun during their active duty service and continues to this day, meeting the criteria for service connection.
- Denied
The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder with TBI is rated at 70 percent, but the appeal for a higher rating is denied.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for her service-connected MDD with PTSD was denied. The evidence did not show total occupational and social impairment, despite the Veteran maintaining full-time employment.
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