The Veteran's service connection claim for pneumonia is denied. An increased rating of 20 percent, but no higher, for residuals of prostate cancer from April 1, 2013, is granted. The right ankle disability and bilateral hearing loss claims are remanded. Tinnitus service connection claim is also remanded. A total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) is remanded.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's pneumonia was resolved prior to the filing of his claim, thus he does not have a current disability for which service connection can be granted.
- Claimed conditions
- {"condition_name":"Pneumonia"}, {"condition_name":"Prostate Cancer Residuals"}
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- January 24, 2019
- Citation
- 19105689
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
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