The Board granted increased ratings for the Veteran's service-connected depression, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, sciatic nerve, and awarded a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability (TDIU). The effective date for the awards of service connection for the lower extremity conditions was denied.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the Veteran's symptoms more nearly approximated the criteria for higher ratings due to their impact on his occupational and social functioning, despite some disagreement regarding specific dates of onset.
- Claimed conditions
- depression, left lower extremity radiculopathy, sciatic nerve, right lower extremity radiculopathy, sciatic nerve
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 70%
- Decision date
- June 5, 2025
- Citation
- A25049823
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to ensure a proper examination and etiology opinion are provided.
- Partly granted
The Board denied earlier effective dates for the grant of service connection and granted initial 40 percent ratings for left upper extremity CTS, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy.
- Partly granted
The Veteran's award of total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is granted effective from April 15, 2017, solely based on his unspecified anxiety disorder. The claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy was denied.
- Partly granted
The Board granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and special monthly compensation (SMC) housebound status, but dismissed the claims for initial ratings in excess of 40 percent for lumbosacral spine disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy.
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