The Board denied service connection for a respiratory condition, to include as due to environmental hazards associated with service in Southwest Asia and denied a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss. The issues of service connection for headaches, diverticulitis, joint pains, bilateral shoulder condition, back condition, bilateral knee condition, bilateral wrist condition, and TDIU were remanded.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not support the presence of a current respiratory condition or a compensable level of hearing loss. The Board found that the Veteran's subjective symptoms did not equate to a diagnosis of a respiratory condition, and the audiometric testing results did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.
- Claimed conditions
- respiratory condition, headaches, diverticulitis, joint pains, bilateral shoulder condition, back condition, bilateral knee condition, bilateral wrist condition
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 23, 2024
- Citation
- 24003433
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.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for headaches and increased ratings for left shoulder rotator cuff tear, right shoulder rotator cuff tear, hypertension, and left and right leg restless leg syndrome. The Board denied a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for an increased initial disability evaluation of headaches due to an inadequate VA examination.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for multiple disabilities, including cervical spine and thoracolumbar spine disabilities, radiculopathies, a bladder disability, headaches, a left knee disability, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and bilateral conjunctivitis. The Board also granted entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability.
- Dismissed
The appeals for restoration of ratings and for a higher disability rating were dismissed as the April 2025 rating decision did not make final decisions on these issues.
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