The Board denied the claims for service connection and an initial compensable evaluation, finding that the evidence did not support a diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss disability or sleep apnea related to service. The Veteran's hemorrhoids were found to be noncompensable.
The deciding factor: The evidence of record does not support a current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss for VA purposes or a nexus between the Veteran's sleep apnea and his military service, while the severity of his hemorrhoids did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.
- Claimed conditions
- Hemorrhoids, Bilateral Hearing Loss Disability, Sleep Apnea, Left Ankle Sprain (claimed as degenerative arthritis), Right Ankle Sprain (claimed as degenerative arthritis), Left Achilles' Tendon Rupture, Genitourinary Disability, to include cystitis, benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH), and chronic prostatitis, Degenerative Arthritis of the Right Knee, Degenerative Arthritis of the Left Knee, Degenerative Arthritis of the Cervical Spine, Left Elbow Medial Epicondylitis with Olecranon Spurring, Left Hand Sprain, Right Hand Sprain, Left Wrist Sprain, Degenerative Arthritis of the Right Hip, Peripheral Neuropathy of the Right Foot/Big Toe/Calf as secondary to right hip degenerative arthritis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 18, 2025
- Citation
- A25024783
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
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The Board remands the issues of increased rating for back disability, service connection for sleep apnea, left heel, and hemorrhoids, as well as entitlement to a TDIU prior to August 1, 2025, for additional development.
- Dismissed
The Board dismissed the appeals for higher ratings on all claims due to untimely Notices of Disagreement.
- Partly granted
The Board granted an increased initial evaluation of 70 percent for PTSD but denied evaluations in excess of 10% for tension headaches and in excess of 30% for IBS, and denied service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome. The claims for additional service connections were remanded.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and special monthly compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s).
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