The Board restored the 40 percent rating for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and granted a 100 percent rating for persistent depressive disorder with psychotic features with TBI from December 20, 2017 to August 24, 2021.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not show an actual improvement in the Veteran's ability to function under the ordinary conditions of life and work due to degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine. The criteria for a 100 percent rating were met based on the severity of persistent depressive disorder with psychotic features with TBI during the specified period.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD) of the lumbar spine with intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), dextroscoliosis, and annular disc tear, Persistent Depressive Disorder with psychotic features with Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- May 30, 2025
- Citation
- A25048181
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 service connection for the Veteran's lower back condition and left leg radiculopathy, finding that these conditions were incurred in or caused by active military service.
- Partly granted
The Board granted readjudication of the service connection claim for a thoracolumbar spine disorder, but remanded the claims for radiculopathy.
- Partly granted
The Board restored the previous ratings for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with intervertebral disc syndrome and left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, but denied higher ratings for other conditions.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher disability ratings for lumbosacral strain, thoracic strain, right posterior lyric lesion SI joint, dextroscoliosis, scarring/atelectasis of left lower lobe, nonspecific mild pulmonary hyperinflation, pleural effusion, residuals of COVID-19, and unspecified anxiety disorder.
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