The Board granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, but denied increased ratings for major depressive disorder with anxious distress features and polysubstance use and chronic venous insufficiency and varicose veins.

The deciding factor: The Veteran's psychiatric condition did not meet the criteria for a higher rating as his symptoms were not severe enough to result in total social and occupational impairment. The chronic venous insufficiency and varicose veins also did not warrant a higher rating based on the evidence of record, which showed intermittent edema and other mild symptoms.

Claimed conditions

Major depressive disorder with anxious distress features and polysubstance use, Chronic venous insufficiency and varicose veins, Degenerative arthritis of the spine (prior to September 11, 2019), Right lower extremity radiculopathy

How they argued it

Direct service connection

Exposure basis

None

Rating assigned

None in this decision

Decision date

December 3, 2025

Citation

A25103804

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