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. The April 2010 VA examiner could not determine if the hearing loss was related to his MOS as an electrical mechanic equipment repairman.,The Veteran reported experiencing tinnitus since military service and provided credible statements regarding its onset. The Board finds these assertions credible.,No right thigh disability has been diagnosed, but pain in the right thigh may cause functional impairment. A new VA examination is needed to determine if there is a current right thigh disability.,Service treatment records indicate an upper respiratory infection and costochondritis. Private treatment records show asthma and palpitations. The May 2010 VA examiner was unable to complete a pulmonary function test, so another VA examination must be scheduled to assess the Veteran's respiratory condition.,The January 2019 VA examination did not find or note any kidney-related disability. No opinion regarding the relationship between blood in urine during service and current kidney conditions (including erectile dysfunction or Peyronie's Disease) was provided.

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.