The Board granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but denied service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), left restless leg syndrome, right restless leg syndrome, lumbosacral strain, left lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy, right lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy, right ankle disability, right ankle scar, and hypertension. The Board also remanded several claims for further development.

The deciding factor: The evidence persuasively favored the conclusion that it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss began in service and that his tinnitus first manifested during military service and has persisted since separation from service, but did not support a current diagnosis of CFS or restless leg syndrome. The Board also found that the evidence did not support higher ratings for certain disabilities.

Claimed conditions

bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), left restless leg syndrome, right restless leg syndrome, lumbosacral strain (back disability), left lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy, right lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy, right ankle status post tendon and ligament repair (right ankle disability), right ankle scar, hypertension

How they argued it

Direct service connection

Exposure basis

None

Rating assigned

20%

Decision date

December 4, 2025

Citation

A25104536

Want to see how appeals like this one tend to go? Appeals like mine