The Veteran's depressive disorder is granted service connection.,The Veteran's GERD is secondary to his depressive disorder and thus also granted service connection.,There is no evidence of a lumbar spine disability in service, and it is denied.,Sleep apnea was not found in service and is also denied.,Bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are remanded for further evaluation.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's depressive disorder had its onset during service and there is a link between current symptoms and service. The VA examiner provided an opinion supporting this finding.,The VA examiner concluded that the GERD was aggravated by the depressive disorder, based on stress being a known aggravator of GERD.,There were no in-service complaints or findings related to a lumbar spine disability or sleep apnea, and these conditions are not service-connected.,Hearing loss is not precluded due to normal hearing at separation from service. The Veteran's report of continuity of symptoms post-service supports this finding.,Further evaluation is needed for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.
- Claimed conditions
- Depressive disorder, Gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD), Lumbar spine disability, Sleep apnea
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 7, 2024
- Citation
- A24044758
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 A24044758.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for sleep apnea and acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) due to insufficient evidence of record. The Veteran is required to undergo VA examinations to determine if his conditions are related to service.
- 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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has identified a contradiction in the AOJ's determinations regarding the Veteran's need for aid and assistance, which requires clarification. The remanded issues are entitlement to SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another and on the basis of statutory housebound status.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew the claims for psychiatric disability and sleep apnea.,Service connection was granted for right lower extremity radiculopathy and left lower extremity radiculopathy secondary to a service-connected back disability, but denied for right wrist disability.
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