The Board denied increased ratings for knee strain, TBI, and tinnitus while granting a 50% rating for tension headaches. Service connection was also denied for left ear hearing loss.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes; however, his tension headaches more nearly approximated very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability.
- Claimed conditions
- knee strain, patellar tendonitis, right lower extremity, traumatic brain injury (TBI), tension headaches, hearing loss, right ear, tinnitus, hearing loss, left ear
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 8, 2025
- Citation
- A25041767
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.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for left knee strain, right knee strain, right wrist strain, and TBI. The Veteran's PTSD rating was remanded for further development.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection for tinnitus to correct a duty to assist error, as the Veteran's lay statements regarding onset and continuity of symptoms were not adequately considered in the previous decision.
- 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).
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for tinnitus, cubital tunnel syndrome, right plantar fasciitis, and a right knee disability due to the lack of evidence supporting a nexus between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.
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