The Board granted service connection for low back degenerative disc disease (DDD) with spondylosis, a post-surgical low back scar, and sciatic radiculopathy of both lower extremities. It also granted an increased rating of 30 percent for cervical spine disc protrusions.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service-connected low back DDD was found to be the cause of the other conditions, thus supporting secondary service connection.
- Claimed conditions
- low back degenerative disc disease (DDD) with spondylosis, post-surgical low back scar, status post L4/L5 diskectomy and laminectomy, sciatic radiculopathy of the RIGHT lower extremity, sciatic radiculopathy of the LEFT lower extremity, cervical spine disc protrusions, LEFT foot plantar fasciitis, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and major depressive disorder (MDD) with psychotic features, post-surgical scars of the RIGHT ankle, painful post-surgical scars of the RIGHT ankle, post-surgical scars of the RIGHT shoulder, painful post-surgical scars of the RIGHT shoulder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- April 1, 2025
- Citation
- A25029989
What this means for you
A partial grant means some issues were granted while others were denied or remanded — common in multi-issue claims. Look at which issues went which way, and how each was argued.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for sciatic radiculopathy of the RIGHT lower extremity as secondary to degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, increased the rating for PTSD from 50 percent to 70 percent from September 1, 2017 to July 8, 2019, granted TDIU effective January 1, 2014, and awarded SMC based on housebound status effective September 1, 2017.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, effective from the date of the February 2025 rating decision.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a medical examination to determine if the Veteran's current neck strain is related to his in-service activities.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD due to an inadequate medical opinion.
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