The Veteran's initial disability rating for his acquired psychiatric disorder is denied, and the claims for increased ratings for left shoulder disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, GIST, and GERD are all denied. The claim to reopen service connection for a left elbow and bilateral hand disorder was granted due to new evidence.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic code.
- Claimed conditions
- Acquired Psychiatric Disability (Adjustment Disorder with Depressed Mood), Left Shoulder Disability, Bilateral Hearing Loss, Tinnitus, Gastrointestinal Disorder with GIST Cancer (GIST), Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- September 15, 2020
- Citation
- 20060482
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 20060482.
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 denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service-connected. The claims for alcohol abuse and psychiatric disorder are remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss. The issue remains under direct service connection theory.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's hearing loss was rated at 30 percent, the highest non-compensable rating available. The Board found that his hearing loss did not warrant a higher rating based on VA examinations and medical records.
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