The Board denied a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD and MDD with alcohol use disorder, found the separate rating assigned for left lower extremity radiculopathy to be proper, and remanded the claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative joint disease and lower back strain.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to their severity and impact on his daily life.
- Claimed conditions
- Left lower extremity radiculopathy, Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), Major depressive disorder (MDD) with alcohol use disorder, Intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) with degenerative joint disease (DJD) and lower back strain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- May 6, 2025
- Citation
- A25041093
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 1,676 · Granted: 24% (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 A25041093.
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 Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) at the (o) rate and SMC at the (r)(2) rate, effective January 19, 2025. The decision finds that the Veteran's service-connected conditions warrant these awards due to his need for aid and attendance.
- Granted
The Board has granted effective dates of July 10, 2024 for service connection for PTSD, lumbar strain, and left lower extremity radiculopathy.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has identified a contradiction in the AOJ's determinations regarding the Veteran's need for aid and assistance, which requires clarification. The remanded issues are entitlement to SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another and on the basis of statutory housebound status.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew the claims for psychiatric disability and sleep apnea.,Service connection was granted for right lower extremity radiculopathy and left lower extremity radiculopathy secondary to a service-connected back disability, but denied for right wrist disability.
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