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Whole decision: Denied

The Veteran's claim for service connection for osteosclerosis was denied as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis or in-service incurrence.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability was also denied due to lack of evidence linking the condition to service.,For Crohn’s disease, an increased rating greater than 30 percent was denied. The Veteran's symptoms did not meet criteria for severe ulcerative colitis with numerous attacks and malnutrition.,The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and sleep apnea were remanded as there is insufficient evidence to determine the validity of these claims.

The deciding factor: There was no current diagnosis of osteosclerosis or osteoporosis, and no in-service or post-service continuity of symptoms related to this condition. The Veteran's service treatment records did not indicate any osteosclerosis.,The Veteran’s audiometric findings during service were within normal limits for hearing loss disability criteria. There is no evidence linking the bilateral hearing loss disability to service.,The Veteran's Crohn’s disease was rated as 30 percent disabling, which is the maximum rating under DC 7323 (ulcerative colitis). The Veteran did not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to severe ulcerative colitis with numerous attacks and malnutrition.,There is insufficient evidence to determine if an acquired psychiatric disorder or sleep apnea are related to service. These claims were remanded.

Claimed conditions
osteosclerosis, bilateral hearing loss disability, Crohn’s disease status posthemicolectomy with scar, Sluder's neuralgia
How they argued it
Direct service connection
Exposure basis
None
Rating
Not verified here — check the original decision
Decision date
May 28, 2019
Citation
19140481

Veterans Law Judge

J.W. FRANCIS

Decisions by this judge: 1,030 · Granted: 17% (granted or partly granted, in the indexed decisions on this site)

Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.

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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 19140481.

What this means for you

A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.

What you can do next

Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).

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