The appeal was granted for the restoration of a 60% rating for the Veteran's service-connected back disability, effective February 1, 2021. An earlier effective date for service connection for chronic adjustment disorder and TDIU was also granted.

The deciding factor: The evidence did not establish an actual improvement in the Veteran's ability to function under ordinary conditions of life and work, supporting the restoration of the higher rating.

Claimed conditions

Degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the lumbar spine with intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) and lumbar strain, Chronic adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, moderate alcohol use disorder and moderate persistent somatic symptom disorder with predominant pain associated with DDD of the lumbar spine with IVDS and lumbar strain, Hypertension

How they argued it

Secondary to another service-connected condition

Exposure basis

None

Rating assigned

60%

Decision date

October 2, 2025

Citation

A25085349

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