Graves' Disease, Hyperthyroidism, and Thyroid Disorder are denied as not related to service.,Left Ear Hearing Loss is denied due to lack of in-service diagnosis or relationship to service.,Allergic Rhinitis (Sinusitis) requires further examination for a determination on its relation to service.,Right Ankle Deltoid Ligament Sprain and Lateral Collateral Ligament Sprain are remanded as the etiology is unclear.,Left Ankle Deltoid Ligament Sprain and Lateral Collateral Ligament Sprain are also remanded for further examination.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not support a finding that Graves' Disease, Hyperthyroidism, or Thyroid Disorder began during service or is related to an in-service injury or disease.,Left Ear Hearing Loss was first diagnosed post-service and there is no evidence of hearing loss within the applicable presumptive period following separation from service.,The Veteran's allergic rhinitis (sinusitis) may be due to a pre-existing condition, as it has been present since at least 2002. Further examination is needed to determine its relation to service.,Right Ankle Deltoid Ligament Sprain and Lateral Collateral Ligament Sprain are remanded because the VA examiner did not provide sufficient rationale for their opinion regarding their etiology.,Left Ankle Deltoid Ligament Sprain and Lateral Collateral Ligament Sprain are also remanded as there is insufficient evidence to determine if they were caused by service or a service-connected condition.
- Claimed conditions
- Graves' Disease, Allergic Rhinitis (Sinusitis), Left Ear Hearing Loss, Right Ankle Disorder, Left Ankle Disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 11, 2023
- Citation
- 23044790
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 23044790.
What this means for you
A partial grant means some issues were granted while others were denied or remanded — common in multi-issue claims. Look at which issues went which way, and how each was argued.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
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The Veteran was granted a TDIU with a September 19, 2024 effective date based on his PTSD, emphysema, and COPD symptoms. His diabetes, tinnitus, and left ear hearing loss were not found to prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation prior to March 19, 2024.
- Denied
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- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that additional medical opinions are needed to address the etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions, particularly regarding his shoulder disorders and nasal surgeries. The claims for service connection have been remanded.
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