The veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee, elbow, and thoracolumbar spine disabilities were denied. The initial ratings for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, malaria, and onychomycosis of the bilateral great toenails were also denied.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not show a relationship between the claimed conditions and the veteran's service, or that the conditions warranted higher ratings based on their severity.
- Claimed conditions
- Bilateral knee disability, Bilateral elbow disability, Thoracolumbar spine disability, Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), Bilateral hearing loss, Malaria, Onychomycosis of the bilateral great toenails
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 20, 2008
- Citation
- 0816555
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 386 · Granted: 25% (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 0816555.
What this means for you
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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.
- 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.
- 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.
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