The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, right shoulder disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder were denied. The claim for a compensable rating for residuals of a right fourth metacarpal fracture was also denied. Service connection was granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include major depressive disorder and an adjustment disorder).
The deciding factor: The Veteran's current conditions are not causally or etiologically related to service.
- Claimed conditions
- Hypertension, Right Shoulder Subacromial Impingement and Acromioclavicular Joint Degenerative Joint Disease (a right shoulder disability), Bilateral Hearing Loss, Tinnitus, Acquired Psychiatric Disorder (to include Major Depressive Disorder and an Adjustment Disorder)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- July 21, 2016
- Citation
- 1629208
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 1629208.
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.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.
- Granted
The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service-connected. The claims for alcohol abuse and psychiatric disorder are remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.
- Denied
The Board denied the claim of service connection for hypertension, finding that it did not manifest during service and is not causally related to the Veteran's exposure to herbicides or service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss. The issue remains under direct service connection theory.
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