The Veteran's persistent depressive disorder, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve have been granted higher initial ratings to 70% and 20%, respectively. The decision also notes that his alcohol use disorder is not considered in determining service connection.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the Veteran's symptoms, including occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood, supported a higher rating of 70% for persistent depressive disorder.
- Claimed conditions
- Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia) with anxious distress, late onset, pure dysthymic syndrome, mild, Left Lower Extremity Radiculopathy of the Sciatic Nerve, Right Lower Extremity Radiculopathy of the Sciatic Nerve
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 70%
- Decision date
- February 17, 2026
- Citation
- A26013986
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation A26013986.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
PTSD rated at 50% effective January 21, 2020.,Right sciatic nerve and left sciatic nerve each rated at 10% prior to December 1, 2022. Both are now rated at 20% from December 1, 2022.,Radiculopathy of the right femoral nerve rated at 20% from December 1, 2022; radiculopathy of the left femoral nerve also rated at 20% from December 1, 2022.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, bilateral shin splints, and knee injuries, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since August 9, 2019. The Board has granted TDIU on this basis.
- Granted
Entitlement to an earlier effective date of December 28, 2022 for the grant of service connection for a back disability and RLE radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve is granted.,Entitlement to an earlier effective date of October 2, 2023 for the assignment of a 70 percent rating for PTSD is denied.
- Denied
The Board denied initial disability ratings for various conditions, including GERD, shoulder strain, elbow strains, lumbosacral strain, and knee conditions. A separate rating was granted for right lower extremity radiculopathy due to the service-connected lumbosacral spine disability.
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