The Board denied service connection for bipolar disorder and denied increased ratings for the lumbar disability, left and right sciatica, and chronic sinusitis. However, it granted an increased rating of 40 percent from March 7, 2022, for left and right sciatic radiculopathy and restored a 30 percent rating for chronic sinusitis.

The deciding factor: The evidence did not support the Veteran's claims for service connection or increased ratings, but it did show that his sciatica had worsened to a moderately severe level and that the reduction in his sinusitis rating was improper.

Claimed conditions

bipolar disorder, lumbar disability, left lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy (sciatica), right sciatica, chronic sinusitis, left shin splints, right shin splints

How they argued it

Direct service connection

Exposure basis

None

Rating assigned

None in this decision

Decision date

December 19, 2025

Citation

A25110458

Want to see how appeals like this one tend to go? Appeals like mine