The Veteran is not entitled to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, anxiety and alcohol abuse.,Service connection is denied for hearing loss as there is no evidence of a current disability related to service or any other compensable level of hearing loss within one year after separation from service.,Service connection is denied for tinnitus as there is no evidence of a current disability related to service or any other compensable level of hearing loss within one year after separation from service.,Service connection is denied for a respiratory/lung disorder (to include COPD and lung nodules) due to lack of evidence showing the condition was incurred in or caused by service.
The deciding factor: The preponderance of the evidence does not show that any currently diagnosed psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and alcohol abuse, is related to his period of military service or any event thereof. Entitlement to service connection for a disability resulting from alcohol abuse is barred as a matter of law.
- Claimed conditions
- Acquired Psychiatric Disorder (to include anxiety and alcohol abuse), Hearing Loss, Tinnitus, Respiratory/Lung Disorder (to include COPD and lung nodules)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 11, 2012
- Citation
- 1213116
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 1213116.
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.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for a higher rating for PTSD and dismissed his appeals regarding increased ratings for tinnitus and a right hand disability due to lack of timely filing of Notice of Disagreement.
- Denied
The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including GAD, MDD, bruxism, migraines/headaches, tinnitus, hip pain, iliotibial band syndrome, and leg stress fractures. The evidence does not support current diagnoses of these conditions during the appeal period.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral pes planus with hammer toes, hallux valgus and degenerative arthritis, sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and bilateral kidney cysts, rendered him unable to secure or follow gainful employment. The Board granted the TDIU based on these conditions.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.