Service connection is granted for right foot gout.,Service connection is granted for a bilateral knee condition secondary to service-connected hip conditions.,Service connection is granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder (major depressive disorder) secondary to service-connected degenerative disc disease with IVDS and lumbar facet degenerative arthrosis and chronic lumbar pain syndrome claimed as lower back condition.,Service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss.,Service connection is granted for tinnitus.,Remand is required for further evaluation of a right thigh disability.,Remand is required for further evaluation of a respiratory condition.,Remand is required to obtain private treatment records and determine the relationship between any kidney conditions (including erectile dysfunction or Peyronie's Disease) and service.
The deciding factor: The Veteran has current gout in his right foot, which began or was permanently aggravated while on active duty with the U.S. Navy.,The March 2018 VA examiner opined that the bilateral knee condition is at least as likely as not (50 percent or greater probability) due to his bilateral hip condition.,An April 2017 VA examination showed a current diagnosis of major depressive disorder, and the examiner reasoned it was related to chronic pain occurring with service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran has current hearing loss for VA purposes, which is consistent with in-service noise exposure during military service aboard USS Dwight D. Eisenhower.,The Veteran reported experiencing tinnitus since his acoustic trauma in service, and he is competent to report symptoms such as ringing or buzzing in his ears.,VA examinations did not diagnose a right thigh disability but noted pain that may cause functional impairment; another VA examination is needed.,May 2010 VA examiner was unable to complete a pulmonary function test due to chest discomfort, and the Board cannot make a fully-informed decision on the issue of a respiratory condition. Another VA examination must be scheduled.,Private treatment records are required for evaluation of kidney conditions (including erectile dysfunction or Peyronie's Disease) related to service.
- Claimed conditions
- right foot gout, bilateral knee condition, acquired psychiatric disorder (major depressive disorder), bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 30, 2019
- Citation
- 19133484
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 19133484.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection for tinnitus to correct a duty to assist error, as the Veteran's lay statements regarding onset and continuity of symptoms were not adequately considered in the previous decision.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew the appeals for service connection for bilateral pes planus, obstructive sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for tinnitus, cubital tunnel syndrome, right plantar fasciitis, and a right knee disability due to the lack of evidence supporting a nexus between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.
- Granted
The Board granted an effective date of April 25, 2022, for the award of service connection for tinnitus and a 100 percent initial rating for PTSD with alcohol use disorder.
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