The Board denied service connection for Barrett’s disease, status post removal of the gall bladder, and left ear hearing loss. The Board also remanded issues regarding scar on the abdomen (secondary to status post removal of the gall bladder) and bilateral tibial axonal neuropathy.,Service connection was not granted for any of the conditions due to lack of evidence linking them to service or presumed exposure to herbicide agents.
The deciding factor: The Board found that Barrett’s disease, status post removal of the gall bladder, and left ear hearing loss did not manifest in service or within one year thereafter. The Veteran's statements about symptoms were considered but were deemed insufficient to establish a nexus with service.,Service connection could only be granted on a direct basis for these conditions as they are not associated with herbicide exposure.
- Claimed conditions
- Barrett’s disease, Status post removal of the gall bladder, Scar on the abdomen (secondary to status post removal of the gall bladder), Bilateral tibial axonal neuropathy of the lower extremities, Left ear hearing loss
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- August 31, 2020
- Citation
- 20057257
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 20057257.
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 Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability does not meet or approximate criteria for a compensable (10%) disability rating at any point during the appeal period.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for right ear hearing loss and service connection for left ear hearing loss due to inadequate audiometric examinations. The Veteran will be scheduled for new VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his left ear hearing loss and the severity of his hearing loss.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's liver disability has not resulted in any compensable symptoms, as he had a previous history of liver disease but is currently asymptomatic.,The Veteran's left ear hearing loss has been rated at noncompensable level due to the absence of more than Level I hearing acuity.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) from August 6, 2008 due to the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability.
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