The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability, intestinal disability (including IBS), sinusitis, upper respiratory infection disability, allergic rhinitis, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), right knee strain, and left knee strain has been denied.,Remanded issues include GERD and knee strains.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability was denied because the evidence did not meet the threshold of hearing loss required to be considered a disability for VA purposes. The Veteran does not have a current diagnosed disability.,Service connection for an intestinal disability (including IBS) and upper respiratory infection disability were also denied as there is no probative evidence that the Veteran has these conditions. The Veteran's bowel symptoms do not result in functional impairment.,The Veteran's appeal for service connection for sinusitis was denied because there is no current diagnosed sinusitis or upper respiratory infection disability. The VA examiner found that the Veteran does not have a sinus disability other than allergic rhinitis, which is not related to service.,Service connection for an intestinal disability (including IBS) and upper respiratory infection disability were also denied as there is no probative evidence that the Veteran has these conditions. The Veteran's bowel symptoms do not result in functional impairment.,The Veteran's appeal for service connection for GERD was remanded because the VA examiner provided inadequate opinions regarding the relationship between his GERD and service. The PACT Act requires a VA examination to determine if there is a nexus between the Veteran's GERD and participation in a TERA (likely Southwest Asia).,The Veteran's appeal for service connection for right knee strain and left knee strain was remanded because the VA examiner provided inadequate opinions regarding the relationship between his knee strains and service. The PACT Act requires a VA examination to determine if there is a nexus between the Veteran's knee strains and participation in a TERA (likely Southwest Asia).
- Claimed conditions
- Bilateral Hearing Loss Disability, Intestinal Disability, to include IBS, Sinusitis, Upper Respiratory Infection Disability, Allergic Rhinitis, Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), Right Knee Strain, Left Knee Strain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 22, 2024
- Citation
- A24077541
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 A24077541.
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Veteran's allergic rhinitis is currently rated as 10 percent disabling prior to September 16, 2024 and noncompensable thereafter. The Board found the evidence against finding that his condition met the criteria for a higher rating.
- Granted
The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is granted a 70% rating, effective July 15, 2024. The Veteran's GERD remains at a 10% rating.
- Granted
The Veteran's right and left knee strains, as well as shin splints, were granted increased ratings. The Veteran also received special monthly compensation at the housebound rate from October 25, 2017 to March 11, 2024.
- Granted
The Veteran's PTSD is granted at a 70 percent rating prior to July 29, 2024. The GERD rating remains at 30 percent disabled but no higher.
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