The Board denied a compensable initial rating for bilateral hearing loss disability but granted an initial 20 percent rating for bilateral dry eye syndrome. Service connection was denied for obstructive sleep apnea, hypertension, and sinusitis.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not support the claimant's assertions that his OSA, hypertension, or sinusitis were incurred in service, despite exposure to asbestos during service. The Board granted a 20 percent rating for dry eye syndrome due to an approximate balance of positive and negative evidence regarding its symptoms.
- Claimed conditions
- Bilateral hearing loss disability, Bilateral dry eye syndrome, Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), Hypertension, Sinusitis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- March 24, 2025
- Citation
- A25026943
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and hypertension, to include as secondary to left orchiectomy, for further development in accordance with the PACT Act.
- Partly granted
The Board granted readjudication of previously denied claims for service connection for PTSD and COPD, while remanding other issues including entitlement to service connection for an eye disorder, hypertension, tinnitus, a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, TDIU, and an initial rating for PTSD.
- Dismissed
The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus due to a lack of jurisdiction.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability as the evidence did not support a nexus between the disability and service.
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