The Board has denied service connection for a sleep disorder, left ear hearing loss disability, and right ear hearing loss disability. The claims of entitlement to a compensable rating for tension headaches, thoracolumbar spine disability (claimed as an upper back disability), and neck disability are remanded.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not support the presence of diagnosed sleep disorders or hearing loss disabilities under VA regulations.
- Claimed conditions
- Sleep Disorder, Left Ear Hearing Loss Disability, Right Ear Hearing Loss Disability, Thoracolumbar Spine Disability (Upper Back)
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- December 31, 2020
- Citation
- A20019529
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 A20019529.
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).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's service connection claims for IBS, hypertension, right ear hearing loss disability, and initial compensable rating for allergic rhinitis have all been denied.,Specifically, the Board found no current diagnosis of IBS during the appeal period. The claim for hypertension was not granted on a presumptive basis as there is no evidence showing it manifested to a degree of 10 percent disabling within one year of separation from service. Service connection for right ear hearing loss disability and initial compensable rating for allergic rhinitis were also denied.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims of service connection for COPD and Sleep Disorder due to insufficient development, including a lack of VA examinations or medical opinions assessing these conditions. The RO must provide such assessments.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty-to-assist error, and will need additional medical opinions regarding the onset of the Veteran's sleep disability during service.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for tinnitus and left ear hearing loss disability, but remanded the issue of a compensable rating for right ear hearing loss. The increased rating claim for IVDS was withdrawn by the Veteran.
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