The Board granted service connection for headaches, bilateral hearing loss, and bilateral athlete's foot. The claims for right ankle pain, left ankle pain, foot pain, left knee pain, right knee pain, initial rating in excess of 10 percent for left hip strain with limitation of flexion, initial compensable rating for left hip strain with limitation of extension, and initial compensable rating for left hip strain with thigh impairment were denied. The claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) was remanded.
The deciding factor: The evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether the Veteran's headaches, bilateral hearing loss, and bilateral athlete's foot are related to active-duty service, thus reasonable doubt is resolved in favor of the Veteran. The other claims were denied due to a lack of credible evidence linking them to service.
- Claimed conditions
- headaches, bilateral hearing loss, bilateral athlete's foot
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 4, 2025
- Citation
- A25031246
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.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew the appeals for service connection for bilateral pes planus, obstructive sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
- 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.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for multiple conditions, including bilateral hearing loss and various musculoskeletal issues, as well as an initial rating in excess of 0 percent for rhinitis. However, the Board granted a 70 percent rating for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for an increased initial disability evaluation of headaches due to an inadequate VA examination.
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