The Board dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, an increased rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy since February 21, 2008, and an increased rating for a low back disability since February 21, 2008. The Board also denied his claim for additional compensation for a dependent parent prior to December 30, 2009. The Veteran's claims for service connection for a skin condition, undiagnosed illness, right ankle disability, hypertension, hair loss, and asthma were remanded by the Board. The Board granted an earlier effective date of July 8, 2002, for the award of service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy.
The deciding factor: The Board dismissed the Veteran's claims due to the criteria for withdrawal of appeal being met.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral hearing loss, gum decay (periodontal disease), right lower extremity radiculopathy, low back disability, tinnitus, hair loss, asthma, right and left shoulder disabilities, headaches
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 9, 2020
- Citation
- 20065819
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 claim for service connection for tinnitus to correct a duty to assist error, as the Veteran's lay statements regarding onset and continuity of symptoms were not adequately considered in the previous decision.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew the appeals for service connection for bilateral pes planus, obstructive sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for tinnitus, cubital tunnel syndrome, right plantar fasciitis, and a right knee disability due to the lack of evidence supporting a nexus between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.
- Granted
The Board granted an effective date of April 25, 2022, for the award of service connection for tinnitus and a 100 percent initial rating for PTSD with alcohol use disorder.
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