The Veteran's depression is secondary to his service-connected disabilities, but the connection cannot be established.,The Veteran's vertigo/dizziness is not related to his military service and may be due to orthostatic hypotension.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is not related to military noise exposure.,The Veteran's bilateral flat feet are secondary to his service-connected disabilities.

The deciding factor: The VA examiner found that the Veteran’s adjustment disorder and any other diagnosed acquired psychiatric disability, including depression, is less likely a progression of his inability to sleep in-service. The post-service stressors were unemployment, the murder of his son, and the departure of his girlfriend.,The Veteran does not have vertigo but has symptoms more consistent with orthostatic hypotension. The examiner found that it is less likely as not related to service.,The September 2015 VA examination report concluded that the Veteran's current hearing loss disability is not a result of military noise exposure.,The July 2015 VA examination report indicated that the Veteran’s bilateral flat feet are secondary to his service-connected disabilities.

Claimed conditions

{"condition_name":"Bilateral Flat Feet","status":"Service Connected"}, {"condition_name":"Depression","status":"Secondary to Service-Connected Disabilities"}, {"condition_name":"Vertigo/Dizziness","status":"Secondary to Service-Connected Disabilities"}, {"condition_name":"Bilateral Hearing Loss Disability","status":"Not Related to Military Noise Exposure"}

How they argued it

Not specified

Exposure basis

None

Rating assigned

None in this decision

Decision date

January 17, 2019

Citation

A19000026