The Board granted a 20 percent rating for thoracolumbar spine degenerative disc disease to include spondylosis and denied increased ratings for other conditions, while remanding claims for service connection for psychiatric disorder and left hand tremors.

The deciding factor: The decision was based on the severity of the Veteran's low back disability and the lack of evidence supporting higher ratings or service connection for other conditions.

Claimed conditions

Bilateral hearing loss, Headaches, Psychiatric disorder (schizoaffective disorder and bipolar disorder), Thoracolumbar spine degenerative disc disease to include spondylosis, Patellofemoral pain syndrome with degenerative changes of the right knee, Patellofemoral pain syndrome with mild degenerative changes of the left knee, Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), Allergic rhinitis

How they argued it

Reopened with new and material evidence

Exposure basis

None

Rating assigned

20%

Decision date

October 20, 2025

Citation

A25090440

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