The Board granted service connection for lumbar spine disability, as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left foot crush injury, and sciatic radiculopathy of both lower extremities, also secondary to the newly service-connected lumbar spine disability. The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for depressive disorder with unspecified anxiety disorder and a compensable rating for allergic rhinitis.

The deciding factor: The evidence was at least in approximate equipoise as to whether the Veteran's current disabilities were related to his service-connected conditions, leading to the grant of service connection. The evidence did not support an initial higher rating or a compensable rating for the depressive disorder and allergic rhinitis, respectively.

Claimed conditions

Lumbar spine disability, Sciatic radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, Sciatic radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, Depressive disorder with unspecified anxiety disorder (depressive disorder), Allergic rhinitis, Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder, Chronic fatigue syndrome, Bilateral hearing loss, Vertigo, Obstructive sleep apnea, Hypertension, Tremors of the left hand, Tremors of the right hand

How they argued it

Not specified

Exposure basis

None

Rating assigned

None in this decision

Decision date

December 22, 2025

Citation

A25109999

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