The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, headaches, or duodenal ulcer. Sinusitis was granted on a presumptive basis, but the Veteran still does not meet the criteria for a higher rating prior to January 29, 2019 and thereafter.,The Board also denied service connection for various conditions including bilateral pes planus, left foot hallux valgus, right foot hallux valgus, shoulder disabilities, heart disability, acquired psychiatric disability, upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, knee disability, low back disability, and neurological disabilities. The Veteran's claims were previously denied in 2016 but new evidence was submitted to reopen these claims.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a higher rating for his service-connected conditions as they did not result in incapacitating episodes or other severe symptoms warranting a higher rating.,The Veteran's previously denied claims were reopened due to new evidence submitted, but the Board still determined that these claims could not be substantiated based on the current evidence.
- Claimed conditions
- Bilateral Hearing Loss, Headaches, Duodenal Ulcer, Sinusitis, Rhinitis, Left Knee Disability, Low Back Disability, Left Lower Extremity Neurological Disability, Right Lower Extremity Neurological Disability
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 20, 2023
- Citation
- 23051987
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 23051987.
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.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected knee disabilities are rated at 10% each, and the Board finds that higher ratings are not warranted based on the evidence of record.
- Denied
The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities are not related to his active service, and thus denied both claims for service connection.
- 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.
- Denied
The Veteran's left knee disability is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds no evidence of clear and unmistakable error in assigning an effective date of June 19, 2002.
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