The Board denied service connection for cervical strain, bilateral knee strains, respiratory disorder (including rhinitis and asthma), and bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's claims were not supported by probative medical evidence showing the conditions were incurred in or aggravated by service.,There is no clear and unmistakable evidence of a preexisting condition at induction.
The deciding factor: The Board found that there was no probative medical evidence indicating the Veteran’s current cervical strain, bilateral knee strains, respiratory disorder (including rhinitis and asthma), or bilateral hearing loss were incurred in service or diagnosed within the presumptive period after discharge. The Veteran's assertions of onset during service were not supported by credible evidence.
- Claimed conditions
- Cervical strain, Bilateral knee strains, Respiratory disorder (including rhinitis and asthma), Bilateral hearing loss
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 12, 2021
- Citation
- 21014539
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 21014539.
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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 Veteran's claims for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for cervical strain, service connection for left leg pain (claimed as joint pain), and service connection for a left ear hearing condition are being remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.
- 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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