The Board granted initial ratings of 50 percent for unspecified depressive disorder, 60 percent for degenerative arthritis of the spine with IVDS, status post spinal fusion, and 40 percent for radiculopathy, right lower extremity. The claim for a compensable rating for scar on back was denied, and TDIU was granted.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder manifested through occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, which warranted an initial 50 percent rating. For the degenerative arthritis of the spine with IVDS, status post spinal fusion, the evidence supported a 60 percent rating based on the severity of symptoms.
- Claimed conditions
- unspecified depressive disorder (claimed as major depression), degenerative arthritis of the spine with intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), status post spinal fusion, radiculopathy, right lower extremity, scar on back
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 50%
- Decision date
- May 2, 2025
- Citation
- A25040607
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
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- 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)
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- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine with intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) to obtain the Veteran's Service Dental Records.
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