The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and sleep apnea. The effective date for the grant of service connection for herpes zoster was not earlier than March 22, 2020. An initial compensable rating for herpes zoster was also denied. However, an initial 10 percent rating for allergic rhinitis, a 30 percent rating for chronic sinusitis, and a 70 percent rating for unspecified anxiety disorder were granted.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not support the presence of current disabilities for bilateral hearing loss, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, or sleep apnea. The effective date was set to the day following discharge from active duty as per VA regulations. For herpes zoster, no compensable rating was warranted based on the severity and duration of symptoms.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral hearing loss, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, sleep apnea, herpes zoster, scar, anterior neck, allergic rhinitis, chronic sinusitis, unspecified anxiety disorder, plantar fasciitis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 16, 2025
- Citation
- A25089440
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