The Veteran's respiratory disability claim has been reopened, but service connection is not granted.,Tinnitus remains rated at 10 percent and no higher rating is granted.,Service connection for hypertension is denied as there is no evidence of its onset during active duty or due to a service-connected condition.,No issues regarding right knee, left knee, left ankle, arthritis, heart disease, or penis deformity with erectile dysfunction are addressed.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's respiratory disability claim has been reopened but the evidence does not establish that it is related to service. The current rating for tinnitus remains at 10 percent as there is no higher schedular rating available.,Service connection for hypertension was denied because there is no evidence of its onset during active duty or due to a service-connected condition, and the Veteran's claim for secondary service connection based on PTSD was not supported by medical opinion.,The remaining issues regarding right knee, left knee, left ankle, arthritis, heart disease, and penis deformity with erectile dysfunction are considered 'unknown' as they were not addressed in this decision.
- Claimed conditions
- respiratory disability
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- Burn pits / airborne hazards
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- November 20, 2015
- Citation
- 1549037
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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1549037.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board has not made a final determination on the claims of service connection for inguinal hernia, PTSD, joint pain, fibromyalgia, left knee disability, right knee disability, tinnitus, chronic fatigue syndrome, respiratory disability, sleep disorder, IBS, and headaches. The claims are remanded to obtain additional evidence and determine if these conditions are related to service.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability, restless leg syndrome, and respiratory disability due to lack of evidence showing in-service incurrence or aggravation of these conditions.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the claims for service connection for a skin condition, traumatic brain injury, a respiratory disability, bilateral shin splints, and bilateral flatfoot.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for a respiratory disability, including emphysema and mucus with coughing due to an error in providing notice. The AOJ is instructed to provide the Veteran with notice of his right to a hearing.
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