The Veteran's claim of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, unspecified depressive disorder, heart disorder, high blood pressure, thyroid disorder, stroke residuals, deviated nasal septum, and sinusitis has been granted. The claims for service connection for the acquired psychiatric disorder (unspecified depressive disorder), heart disorder, high blood pressure, thyroid disorder, and stroke residuals have not been established.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner provided medical opinions concluding that there was less than 50% probability that any noise exposure while in military service contributed to the current hearing loss or complaints of tinnitus. The Veteran's statements were considered but did not provide probative evidence as they draw medical conclusions beyond their qualifications.
- Claimed conditions
- obstructive sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, acquired psychiatric disorder (unspecified depressive disorder), heart disorder, high blood pressure, thyroid disorder, stroke residuals, deviated nasal septum, sinusitis
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 2, 2019
- Citation
- 19160289
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 19160289.
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.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, effective from the date of the February 2025 rating decision.
- 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.
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