The Board granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, back disability, bilateral achilles tendonitis, gout, diabetes mellitus, type 2 (DMII), obstructive sleep apnea, and an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include anxiety and depression. The Board denied increased ratings for right and left knee degenerative joint disease, separate ratings for instability of the knees, a separate rating for residuals of a right knee meniscectomy, and service connection for bilateral leg pain, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), chronic sinus disability, respiratory disability due to exposure to asbestos, heart murmur, irregular heartbeat, and seizures.

The deciding factor: The Board granted service connection based on the evidence supporting a nexus between the Veteran's in-service noise exposure and his current hearing loss and tinnitus. The back disability was granted based on trauma during service. Bilateral achilles tendonitis was granted as secondary to the service-connected bilateral knee degenerative joint disease. Gout, DMII, OSA, and an acquired psychiatric disorder were granted due to their relationship with the service-connected bilateral knee degenerative joint disease.

Claimed conditions

right knee degenerative joint disease, left knee degenerative joint disease, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, back disability, bilateral achilles tendonitis, gout, diabetes mellitus, type 2 (DMII), obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), acquired psychiatric disorder, to include anxiety and depression, bilateral leg pain

How they argued it

Not specified

Exposure basis

None

Rating assigned

None in this decision

Decision date

December 11, 2025

Citation

A25107030

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