The Board granted a 50 percent initial rating for an acquired psychiatric disorder and denied an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for lumbar spine arthritis, while denying earlier effective dates for the service connection of lower left extremity radiculopathies.

The deciding factor: The Veteran's symptoms more closely approximated occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50 percent rating. The evidence did not support an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for lumbar spine arthritis or earlier effective dates for the service connection of lower left extremity radiculopathies.

Claimed conditions

major depressive disorder with anxious distress and panic attacks, lumbar spine arthritis, lower left extremity femoral radiculopathy, lower left extremity sciatic radiculopathy

How they argued it

Direct service connection

Exposure basis

None

Rating assigned

50%

Decision date

June 4, 2025

Citation

A25049302