The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left eye condition is denied as he does not have a current diagnosis of such.,For the back disability, the Veteran’s symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent under any applicable diagnostic code. The maximum rating authorized by law is 20 percent.,The claim for an increased evaluation for tinnitus is denied as it does not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent.,For restrictive airway disease, the Veteran’s manifestations do not meet or approximate the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent under any applicable diagnostic code. The maximum rating authorized by law is 30 percent.,The claim for an increased evaluation for hemorrhoids is denied as it does not warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent under any applicable diagnostic code. The maximum rating authorized by law is 20 percent.,For PTSD, the Veteran’s symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 70 percent under any applicable diagnostic code. The maximum rating authorized by law is 70 percent.,The claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there are no legal grounds to grant such.

The deciding factor: The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a left eye disability, and his symptoms do not meet the criteria for any higher rating under applicable diagnostic codes.,The Veteran’s back disability does not manifest with forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine to 30 degrees or less; unfavorable ankylosis of the thoracolumbar spine; or, unfavorable ankylosis of the entire spine. The maximum rating authorized by law is 20 percent.,The Veteran’s tinnitus does not warrant a higher evaluation as it is already rated at its highest possible under applicable diagnostic codes.,For restrictive airway disease, the manifestations do not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent under any applicable diagnostic codes. The maximum rating authorized by law is 30 percent.,The Veteran’s hemorrhoids are assigned the maximum rating authorized by law (20 percent).,For PTSD, the symptoms do not rise to the level of total occupational and social impairment as required for a disability rating in excess of 70 percent under any applicable diagnostic codes. The maximum rating authorized by law is 70 percent.,There are no legal grounds to grant an earlier effective date for service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

Claimed conditions

left eye condition, back disability, tinnitus, restrictive airway disease (reactive airway disease), hemorrhoids, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), bilateral hearing loss

How they argued it

Direct service connection

Exposure basis

None

Rating assigned

None in this decision

Decision date

February 28, 2019

Citation

19114812

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 19114812.