The veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, and increased ratings for the low back disorder, right knee disorder, right wrist disorder, left shoulder disorder, and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity were denied.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not support a finding that the veteran's hemorrhoids were aggravated by his military service or that any of his service-connected disabilities had increased in severity beyond their natural progression.
- Claimed conditions
- tinnitus, hemorrhoids, post-traumatic degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine (low back disorder), degenerative changes of the right knee (right knee disorder), right knee disorder based upon instability, post-traumatic arthritis of the right wrist (right wrist disorder), left shoulder AC degenerative joint disease with rear of the supraspinious tendon (left shoulder disorder), radiculopathy of the left lower extremity
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 6, 2009
- Citation
- 0904324
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection for tinnitus to correct a duty to assist error, as the Veteran's lay statements regarding onset and continuity of symptoms were not adequately considered in the previous decision.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew the appeals for service connection for bilateral pes planus, obstructive sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for tinnitus, cubital tunnel syndrome, right plantar fasciitis, and a right knee disability due to the lack of evidence supporting a nexus between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.
- Granted
The Board granted an effective date of April 25, 2022, for the award of service connection for tinnitus and a 100 percent initial rating for PTSD with alcohol use disorder.
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