Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for tinnitus and an increased rating for degenerative disc disease, thoracolumbar spine with neural encroachment L4-5, but denied service connection for sleep apnea and a righthand disability. The Board also granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.
The deciding factor: The evidence was evenly balanced as to whether the Veteran's tinnitus and low back disability symptoms were related to his military service, but not for sleep apnea or righthand disability. The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities had precluded all substantially gainful employment.
- Claimed conditions
- sleep apnea, tinnitus, righthand disability, degenerative disc disease, thoracolumbar spine with neural encroachment L4-5
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- October 10, 2025
- Citation
- 25012756
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