The Veteran's claims for service connection for a headache disability, toenail disability (left great toe), and shoulder disabilities (left and right) have been granted. The claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no current evidence of a hearing loss disability. The claim for left ankle disability has been remanded due to inadequate examination reports. The claims for sinusitis and right wrist ganglion cyst removal are also remanded.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service treatment records (STRs) show multiple instances of complaints related to her shoulder, ankle, and ear symptoms during service, which the Board found sufficient to establish a link between current disabilities and military service. However, there is no evidence of a current hearing loss disability as defined by VA regulations.
- Claimed conditions
- Headache, Toenail disability (left great toe), Bilateral hearing loss, Shoulder disability (left and right), Left ankle disability, Sinusitis, Right wrist ganglion cyst removal and related conditions
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 11, 2020
- Citation
- 20011219
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 20011219.
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 Veteran's claim for a low back disorder was reopened, and his claims for increased ratings of bilateral knee instability were granted. His hearing loss claim was denied.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has found new and relevant evidence to readjudicate the claim for service connection for a headache disability. The case is being remanded for further review.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeals of the initial ratings for his service-connected chronic cough and bilateral hearing loss are remanded due to procedural errors in the evidentiary record.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral pes planus with hammer toes, hallux valgus and degenerative arthritis, sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and bilateral kidney cysts, rendered him unable to secure or follow gainful employment. The Board granted the TDIU based on these conditions.
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