The Board granted a 40 percent rating for the lumbar spine disability, separate ratings of 10 percent each for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, and a TDIU. The depression was denied an increased rating.

The deciding factor: The Veteran's pain and debilitating daily flare-ups supported a higher rating for his lumbar spine disability, but the evidence did not support a total occupational and social impairment for the depressive disorder or a rating in excess of 70 percent.

Claimed conditions

unspecified depressive disorder, thoracic muscle strain with degenerative arthritis of the spine (lumbar spine disability), left lower extremity radiculopathy, right lower extremity radiculopathy

How they argued it

Direct service connection

Exposure basis

None

Rating assigned

None in this decision

Decision date

October 7, 2025

Citation

A25086838

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