The Board granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with mild primary arthritis in the facet joints and bilateral tinnitus, but denied service connection for right ear hearing loss and a rating increase for left ear hearing loss. The decision also remanded an issue related to right foot plantar fasciitis.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder included chronic disorders of arthritis and disease of the nervous system, allowing for service connection based on continuity of symptoms. For the right ear hearing loss, there was no evidence of a current disability under VA standards. The left ear hearing loss did not meet criteria for an increased rating.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with mild primary arthritis in the facet joints, Right ear hearing loss, Left ear hearing loss, Bilateral tinnitus, Right foot plantar fasciitis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 17, 2025
- Citation
- A25089949
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,316 · Granted: 43% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation A25089949.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to insufficient evidence and need for additional examinations.
- Dismissed
The appeal for service connection for a right ear hearing loss disability is dismissed. The appeal for service connection for bilateral knee disabilities is denied.
- Denied
The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability does not meet or approximate criteria for a compensable (10%) disability rating at any point during the appeal period.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for right ear hearing loss and service connection for left ear hearing loss due to inadequate audiometric examinations. The Veteran will be scheduled for new VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his left ear hearing loss and the severity of his hearing loss.
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