The Veteran's character of discharge for his final period of service from March 1997 to February 2008 is a bar to VA benefits due to the commission of offenses during that period resulting in a dishonorable discharge. The appeal has been withdrawn with respect to several issues.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's character of discharge for his final period of service from March 1997 to February 2008 is dishonorable and thus constitutes a bar to VA benefits.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral knee disorder, boutonniere deformity of the left ring finger, tinnitus, septoplasty/rhinoplasty, to include nonallergic rhinitis and sinusitis, lump on the sternum, low back disorder, insomnia, memory loss, left elbow disorder, skin disorder, sleep apnea, acquired psychiatric disorder (to include depression), dandruff, liver disorder, left foot disorder, bilateral restless leg syndrome (RLS), right elbow disorder, scar formation under the lower lip, varicose veins, bilateral varicoceles, TMJ, OCD and anger problems, right index finger disorder
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- August 10, 2017
- Citation
- 1732275
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1732275.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to incomplete medical records and need for further examination.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, arthritis, and memory loss. The decision found no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The issues of foot disability and cardiovascular disorder are remanded for additional development.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran experienced tinnitus during his active duty service.
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