The Veteran's service-connected headache disorder, tinnitus, and major depressive disorder are found to be related to his current headaches. Service connection for sleep apnea is denied as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is assigned the minimum noncompensable rating due to the nature of the disability. A higher rating for tinnitus is not granted, and a higher rating for major depressive disorder is also denied.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the Veteran’s headache disorder was related to his service-connected disabilities (tinnitus and major depressive disorder), allowing for secondary service connection. The evidence did not support a current diagnosis of sleep apnea. The Veteran's hearing loss, while present, did not meet the criteria for an increased rating as it did not reach the threshold for exceptional patterns of hearing loss.
- Claimed conditions
- headache disorder, sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, major depressive disorder
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- June 21, 2019
- Citation
- 19148704
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,088 · Granted: 33% (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 19148704.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.
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).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for service connection of bilateral hearing loss and a ruptured right ear drum was dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's claim for specially-adapted housing assistance and a special home adaptation grant was denied because he does not meet the criteria for either benefit based on his service-connected disabilities.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was noted upon entry into active duty service and did not increase in severity during service. Therefore, it denied his claim for service connection.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to incomplete medical records and need for further examination.
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