The Board granted a 20 percent rating for thoracolumbar spine degenerative disc disease to include spondylosis, but denied increased ratings for patellofemoral pain syndrome of the knees and allergic rhinitis. The claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, headaches, and psychiatric disorder were also denied.
The deciding factor: The decision was based on the severity of the Veteran's symptoms and their impact on his daily life, as well as the lack of evidence supporting a higher rating or service connection for certain 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
- A25090441
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 913 · Granted: 41% (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 A25090441.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for a low back disorder was reopened, and his claims for increased ratings of bilateral knee instability were granted. His hearing loss claim was denied.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeals of the initial ratings for his service-connected chronic cough and bilateral hearing loss are remanded due to procedural errors in the evidentiary record.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that there was a duty to assist error and remands the case for further development. The Veteran contends his allergic rhinitis began during service, but VA medical opinions have found no link between his current condition and service.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral pes planus with hammer toes, hallux valgus and degenerative arthritis, sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and bilateral kidney cysts, rendered him unable to secure or follow gainful employment. The Board granted the TDIU based on these conditions.
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