The Veteran's high cholesterol is not service-connected and thus no rating is assigned.,Service connection for undiagnosed multi-symptom illness (Gulf War Syndrome) has been granted with a 40% disability rating, which is the maximum allowed under current criteria.,Bilateral hearing loss is rated at 30%, which is the maximum allowed under current criteria. Tinnitus is rated at 10%. Valvular heart disease is rated at 70% (subject to regulations governing payment of monetary awards).,PTSD has been granted with a 70% disability rating, and COPD was not service-connected after April 23, 2013.,The Veteran's undiagnosed multi-symptom illness is rated based on the criteria for fibromyalgia. The Veteran does have separate ratings for his gastrointestinal symptoms (GERD) and skin condition (dermatitis or eczema).,COPD was not service-connected after April 23, 2013.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's high cholesterol is a laboratory finding that manifests itself only in laboratory test results and is not a disability for which service connection can be granted.,Service connection for undiagnosed multi-symptom illness (Gulf War Syndrome) has been granted with the maximum allowed rating under current criteria. The Veteran does have separate ratings for his gastrointestinal symptoms (GERD) and skin condition (dermatitis or eczema).,Bilateral hearing loss is rated at 30%, which is the maximum allowed under current criteria. Tinnitus is rated at 10%. Valvular heart disease is rated at 70% (subject to regulations governing payment of monetary awards). COPD was not service-connected after April 23, 2013.,PTSD has been granted with a 70% disability rating. COPD was not service-connected after April 23, 2013.
- Claimed conditions
- High Cholesterol, Undiagnosed Multi-symptom Illness (Gulf War Syndrome), Bilateral Hearing Loss, Tinnitus, Valvular Heart Disease, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 70%
- Decision date
- September 25, 2018
- Citation
- 18137984
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 18137984.
What this means for you
A partial grant means some issues were granted while others were denied or remanded — common in multi-issue claims. Look at which issues went which way, and how each was argued.
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.
- 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.
- Denied
The Veteran's hearing loss was rated at 30 percent, the highest non-compensable rating available. The Board found that his hearing loss did not warrant a higher rating based on VA examinations and medical records.
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