The Board denied the claims for earlier effective dates and increased ratings, finding that the proper effective date is February 13, 2023.

The deciding factor: The severity of the Veteran's symptoms did not more closely approximate total occupational and social impairment, and the evidence did not support a higher rating or an earlier effective date.

Claimed conditions

major depressive disorder, chronic, moderate, lumbosacral strain and spinal stenosis with intervertebral disc syndrome and degenerative disc disease, status post laminectomy at L4 and L5 with nerve root decompression, radiculopathy, left lower extremity, sciatic nerve, radiculopathy, right lower extremity, sciatic nerve

How they argued it

Direct service connection

Exposure basis

None

Rating assigned

None in this decision

Decision date

December 8, 2025

Citation

A25105157

Want to see how appeals like this one tend to go? Appeals like mine