The Board granted service connection for a low back condition and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy but denied service connection for tinnitus. The Board also granted ratings in the form of effective dates for certain conditions, while denying increased ratings.
The deciding factor: The evidence was at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's low back condition caused his bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and there was no evidence supporting a diagnosis of tinnitus. The Board found that the Veteran met the criteria for service connection based on direct causation for the low back condition.
- Claimed conditions
- low back condition, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, tinnitus, cervical spine condition, right upper extremity radiculopathy, left upper extremity radiculopathy, left knee meniscectomy residuals manifested by symptomatic removal of semilunar cartilage, left knee meniscectomy residuals manifested by left knee instability, headache condition
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 25, 2025
- Citation
- A25102343
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