The Board denied the Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for residuals of TBI, thoracolumbar strain with levoscoliosis, sinusitis/rhinitis disability prior to June 6, 2016, and since June 6, 2016. The claim for a higher initial rating for hypertension was also denied. Additionally, the Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to May 23, 2017 was denied.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not support an increase in disability ratings based on the severity of the service-connected conditions and their impact on the Veteran’s daily life.
- Claimed conditions
- Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Thoracolumbar strain with levoscoliosis, Chronic sinusitis with allergic rhinitis, Status post septoplasty with allergic rhinitis, Hypertension
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 24, 2023
- Citation
- 23004338
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 23004338.
What this means for you
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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 claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and hypertension, to include as secondary to left orchiectomy, for further development in accordance with the PACT Act.
- Granted
The Board granted a rating of 70 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injury (TBI), as the Veteran's symptoms most nearly approximated occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.
- Partly granted
The Board granted readjudication of previously denied claims for service connection for PTSD and COPD, while remanding other issues including entitlement to service connection for an eye disorder, hypertension, tinnitus, a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, TDIU, and an initial rating for PTSD.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus, type II, coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, hypertension, asthma/lung disease, vision disability, bilateral plantar fasciitis, leukocytosis, kidney disease/kidney stones, enlarged prostate, sleep apnea, rheumatoid arthritis, lumbar spine disability, right ankle disability, and left ankle disability.
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