High cholesterol is not a disability for VA compensation purposes.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability was rated at the maximum schedular evaluation of 10 percent.,Tinnitus has been assigned the maximum schedular rating available, which is 10 percent.,Hypertension does not meet the criteria for a higher schedular evaluation as it falls within the noncompensable range.,Left wrist fracture with degenerative arthritis was rated at the maximum schedular evaluation of 10 percent.,Prior to May 11, 2015, dysthymic disorder was rated at 30 percent; Beginning May 11, 2015, it was rated at 50 percent.,Service connection for sleep apnea and erectile dysfunction is not granted.,An evaluation in excess of 50 percent for bilateral pes planus, including a temporary total evaluation is denied.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's high cholesterol does not meet the criteria for a disability as defined by VA regulations. Therefore, service connection cannot be established.
- Claimed conditions
- High Cholesterol, Bilateral Hearing Loss Disability, Tinnitus, Hypertension, Left Wrist Fracture with Degenerative Arthritis, Dysthymic Disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 3, 2020
- Citation
- 20000466
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
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 claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and hypertension, to include as secondary to left orchiectomy, for further development in accordance with the PACT Act.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to in-service noise exposure.
- Partly granted
The Board granted an effective date of May 17, 2019, for a 70 percent disability rating for PTSD but denied earlier effective dates for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.
- Partly granted
The Board granted readjudication of previously denied claims for service connection for PTSD and COPD, while remanding other issues including entitlement to service connection for an eye disorder, hypertension, tinnitus, a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, TDIU, and an initial rating for PTSD.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.