The claims of service connection for thoracic scoliosis and a low back disability have been denied as new and material evidence has not been received.,The claims of service connection for a heart disability and hypertension (claimed as high blood pressure) have been reopened, but the merits of these claims remain denied.
The deciding factor: No new and material evidence was submitted to reopen the previously denied claims of service connection for thoracic scoliosis and a low back disability. The Veteran's statements regarding current diagnoses were not considered sufficient to substantiate the claims as they are not competent to provide such evidence.,New and material evidence has been received to reopen the previously denied claims of service connection for heart disability and hypertension (claimed as high blood pressure). However, additional medical opinions are needed to determine if these conditions are related to service.
- Claimed conditions
- Thoracic Scoliosis, Low Back Disability, Heart Disability, Hypertension (claimed as high blood pressure), Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Right Elbow Arthritis, Left Elbow Arthritis, Right Knee Arthritis, Left Knee Arthritis, Sleep Apnea
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 17, 2018
- Citation
- 18158588
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 18158588.
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
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The Veteran's claim for a higher rating prior to August 12, 2013 was denied as his right knee disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 5003.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating from April 1, 2016 was denied as he is already receiving the maximum allowable disability rating of 60 percent for total right knee replacement.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea, finding that the evidence did not support a link between the condition and service.
- Denied
The claims for PTSD, an acquired psychiatric disorder, memory loss/memory problems, chronic fatigue, sleep difficulties/sleep disturbances, and sleep apnea have been denied. The claim for service connection for residuals of testicular denervation and varicosectomy has been granted.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his low back, left knee, and right knee disabilities due to inadequate VA examinations. The AOJ is instructed to obtain private treatment records from Mays & Schnapp Pain Management and schedule the Veteran for additional medical examinations.
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