The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and increased evaluations for cervical strain with cervical disc degeneration, postconcussive headaches (residual of traumatic brain injury), TBI, right shoulder grade II AC separation, and PTSD have been denied. The Veteran is not entitled to an increased evaluation for his service-connected cervical strain with cervical disc degeneration or a higher initial evaluation for his service-connected postconcussive headaches (residual of traumatic brain injury).,The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for right shoulder grade II AC separation, PTSD, and TBI have been remanded. The Veteran is also entitled to an increased evaluation for his service-connected PTSD.
The deciding factor: The Veteran does not meet the criteria for hearing loss under VA regulations, as he has not had a hearing loss disability for VA purposes during the period on appeal.,The Veteran's cervical spine range of motion was found to be normal in both examinations, and there is no evidence of incapacitating episodes. Therefore, an increased evaluation for his service-connected cervical strain with cervical disc degeneration is denied.,The Veteran reported headaches about twice a week, which the VA examiner considered characteristic prostrating attacks averaging one in two months over the last several months, warranting a 10% evaluation.
- Claimed conditions
- hearing loss, cervical strain with cervical disc degeneration, postconcussive headaches, residual of traumatic brain injury
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- September 18, 2018
- Citation
- 18136431
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 18136431.
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: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to incomplete medical records and need for further examination.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus. However, it was determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability of bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus for VA purposes, thus denying both claims.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's tinnitus and hearing loss claims are denied as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions.,The Veteran's high cholesterol, dementia, stroke, prostate cancer, cataracts, diabetes, hypertension, CHF, and myocardial infarction claims are denied due to lack of service connection evidence or insufficient evidence to establish a nexus between the disabilities and active duty service.,The Veteran was exposed to toxins during his military service but there is no evidence linking these exposures to any of the claimed conditions.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's service-connected PTSD prevented him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.,Given the grant of TDIU based on his service-connected PTSD, the Veteran has a single service-connected disability rated as total (PTSD) and additional service-connected disabilities independently ratable at 60 percent or more.
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