The Board denied higher disability ratings for the veteran's unspecified depressive disorder, back disability, and various radiculopathies but granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) from July 27, 2019.
The deciding factor: The severity of the Veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for higher ratings in any of the conditions evaluated, except for TDIU which was granted due to his unemployability starting that date.
- Claimed conditions
- unspecified depressive disorder, degenerative disc disease, spinal stenosis, vertebral fracture, status post discectomy (back disability), lumbar radiculopathy of the left lower extremity sciatic nerve, lumbar radiculopathy of the right lower extremity sciatic nerve, lumbar radiculopathy of the right lower extremity femoral nerve, painful scar, spinal stimulator placement associated with back disability, residual scar, lumbar discectomy associated with back disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 7, 2025
- Citation
- A25031606
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.
- Granted
The Board granted a 70 percent rating for the Veteran's unspecified depressive disorder, finding that her symptoms more closely approximated those required for such a rating.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for spinal stenosis, peripheral neuropathy, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy to correct pre-decisional duty to assist errors.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include major depressive disorder, mood disorder, and unspecified depressive disorder due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, variously diagnosed as unspecified depressive disorder and major depressive disorder.
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