The Veteran's degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, lumbosacral spondylosis, lumbar spondylolisthesis, and lumbar canal stenosis are granted as service connected. The left lumbar radiculopathy with foot drop is also granted as secondary to his now service-connected back disability.

The Board grants service connection for various disabilities, including degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, cervical arthritis and intervertebral disc syndrome, posterior neck scar, neurological impairments of all extremities, hypopharyngeal mucosa laceration with residual dysphagia and esophagus dysfunction, neurogenic bowel dysfunction, neurogenic bladder dysfunction, and erectile dysfunction, as secondary to service-connected spinal disabilities.

The Veteran's vertigo was not related to service, and the claim for service connection is denied.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disability does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the General Rating Formula or DeLuca considerations. The claim for an increased rating remains denied.,The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy has been rated at 20 percent and the claim for an initial rating in excess of this is denied.,Service connection for right ear hearing loss is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding its etiology.

The Board found that the Veteran's degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine did not warrant an evaluation in excess of 10 percent prior to October 7, 2005, or 40 percent from October 7, 2005.

The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, effective from the date of the February 2025 rating decision.