The Board granted an effective date of June 15, 2021, for a 40 percent evaluation for the chronic orthopedic symptoms of lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, degenerative disc disease (DDD), and granted a total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability (TDIU) effective October 6, 2023.
The deciding factor: The evidence was in approximate equipoise as to whether the Veteran's lumbar DDD manifested with motion on forward flexion of 0 to 30 degrees or less as of June 15, 2021, instead of July 8, 2021.
- Claimed conditions
- chronic orthopedic symptoms of lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, degenerative disc disease (DDD), associated lumbar radiculopathy, right lower extremity (RLE), associated lumbar radiculopathy, left lower extremity (LLE), major depressive disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 24, 2025
- Citation
- A25037938
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.
- Dismissed
The claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for major depressive disorder is dismissed as moot because the earliest effective date was granted during the pendency of this appeal.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for multiple conditions, including an acquired psychiatric disorder, sleep apnea, hypertension, and various musculoskeletal and skin disabilities.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for right and left hip degenerative arthritis as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right ankle and knee conditions, and major depressive disorder as secondary to his service-connected knee and ankle conditions. The Board also granted a 10 percent rating for allergic rhinitis.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for major depressive disorder as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected tinnitus.
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