The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, heart disorder and hypertension, dementia secondary to PTSD, left ear hearing loss disability, left ear infection, and perforation of the left tympanic membrane. The 20 percent rating assigned for gunshot wound injury to Muscle Group XVII was also denied.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not show that peripheral neuropathy or heart disorder/hypertension were incurred in service or related thereto. The veteran's dementia, which is considered a separate condition from PTSD, precluded the assignment of a higher rating for PTSD. The gunshot wound injury to Muscle Group XVII was evaluated as moderate based on VA regulations.
- Claimed conditions
- Peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, Heart disorder and hypertension, Dementia secondary to service-connected PTSD, Left ear hearing loss disability, Left ear infection, Perforation, left tympanic membrane
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- August 30, 2001
- Citation
- 0121913
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 0121913.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome and a compensable disability rating for left ear hearing loss due to an inadequate VA examination.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for left ear hearing loss disability and denied an earlier effective date for urinary incontinence, while remanding claims for bowel incontinence and right ear hearing loss.
- Denied
The Veteran's right ear hearing loss disability does not meet the definition of a hearing loss disability for VA purposes.,There is no evidence showing that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss began during service or within one year after service, and there is insufficient medical evidence to link her current left ear hearing loss to service.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right ear hearing loss disability was denied. The claims for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus were remanded.
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