The Veteran's claims for right knee disorder and TDIU have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeals.,Tinnitus has been granted service connection, with a current rating of 'Granted'.,Respiratory Disorder (COPD) was denied due to lack of evidence showing onset during service or relationship to service.,Sleep Disorder (other than Sleep Apnea) was denied as the Veteran's sleep impairment is linked to his PTSD.
The deciding factor: The Veteran withdrew his appeals for right knee disorder and TDIU, thus they are dismissed.,Tinnitus has been granted based on continuity of symptomatology since service. The VA audiologist could not rule out a relationship between the tinnitus and military noise exposure.,COPD was denied as there is no evidence showing onset during service or relationship to service. There were no complaints or treatment for respiratory issues in the immediate post-service period.,Sleep Disorder (other than Sleep Apnea) was denied because it is linked to PTSD, which is already service-connected.
- Claimed conditions
- Right Knee Disorder, Total Disability due to Individual Unemployability (TDIU), Tinnitus, Respiratory Disorder, Sleep Disorder (other than Sleep Apnea)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- July 16, 2018
- Citation
- 18118637
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 18118637.
What this means for you
A dismissal means the Board did not decide the issue on its merits — usually because it was withdrawn or had become moot. It says more about procedure than about whether a claim like this can win.
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.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for a higher rating for PTSD and dismissed his appeals regarding increased ratings for tinnitus and a right hand disability due to lack of timely filing of Notice of Disagreement.
- Denied
The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including GAD, MDD, bruxism, migraines/headaches, tinnitus, hip pain, iliotibial band syndrome, and leg stress fractures. The evidence does not support current diagnoses of these conditions during the appeal period.
- 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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