Right upper and left upper extremity carpal tunnel syndromes, right knee arthritis, and left knee arthritis are granted.,Right hand disability is denied. Bilateral hearing loss, migraine headaches, sleep apnea, shin splints in both lower limbs, hallux valgus in both feet, and bilateral plantar fasciitis with calcaneal heel spurs are all granted initial ratings or effective dates prior to July 27, 2021.,GERD is granted an initial rating of 10 percent.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the Veteran's carpal tunnel syndromes and knee disabilities were related to service based on continuity of symptomatology since service. The right hand disability was not shown to be related to service.,The Board determined that the Veteran's migraine headaches, sleep apnea, shin splints, hallux valgus in both feet, and bilateral plantar fasciitis with calcaneal heel spurs were all manifested by symptoms more nearly approximating severe economic inadaptability for migraines, persistent daytime hypersomnolence for sleep apnea, treatment for 12 consecutive months or more for shin splints, and painful symptoms not relieved by surgical and non-surgical treatment for hallux valgus.,The Board found that the Veteran's GERD was manifested by symptoms of pyrosis (heartburn and/or reflux), regurgitation, and substernal pain.
- Claimed conditions
- right upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome, left upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome, right knee disability, left knee disability, right hand disability, bilateral hearing loss, migraine headaches, sleep apnea, right lower extremity shin splints, left lower extremity shin splints, right foot hallux valgus, left foot hallux valgus, bilateral plantar fasciitis with calcaneal heel spurs, GERD
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 9, 2026
- Citation
- A26020818
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation A26020818.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
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The Veteran's appeal for service connection of bilateral hearing loss and a ruptured right ear drum was dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.
- Remanded (sent back)
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- Denied
The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was noted upon entry into active duty service and did not increase in severity during service. Therefore, it denied his claim for service connection.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, migraine headaches, and PTSD due to additional development of records and examination.
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