The veteran's claims for service connection for several conditions were denied. However, the veteran was granted an initial 10 percent rating for Bell's palsy and an initial 50 percent rating for migraine headaches and sleep apnea. Several other issues were remanded for further review.

The deciding factor: The Board found that the evidence persuasively weighed against the claims for service connection for bilateral dry eye syndrome, traumatic brain injury, and right nasal septal deviation due to lack of current diagnosis or in-service incurrence.

Claimed conditions

bilateral dry eye syndrome, traumatic brain injury, right nasal septal deviation, cervical spine disability, right upper extremity radiculopathy, left upper extremity radiculopathy, Bell's palsy, migraine headaches, colloid cysts on the thyroid, dermatitis, hemorrhoids, sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, posttraumatic stress disorder, left elbow disability, right wrist disability, right hand disability, left hand disability, right hip disability, left hip disability, right ankle disability, left foot disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, bilateral hydrocele, plantar wart on the right foot, residuals of chest contusion with bruised ribs

How they argued it

Direct service connection

Exposure basis

Burn pits / airborne hazards

Rating assigned

None in this decision

Decision date

January 22, 2025

Citation

A25005586

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