The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), an acquired psychiatric disorder, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are denied.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for post-concussive headaches is also denied.
The deciding factor: There is no medical evidence of complaints or diagnosis of tinnitus during service or within one year of separation from service. The absence of post-service complaints, findings, diagnosis, or treatment for the claimed disorder for more than ten years after service separation tends to weigh against a finding of chronic symptoms of tinnitus after service separation.,The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and has not had one at any time during the pendency of the claim or when the claim was filed. The Board finds that service connection is not warranted for IBS.,The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as sleep disturbance. The Veteran's statements do not indicate a basis for a grant of this claim.,The Veteran’s headaches are currently rated under Diagnostic Code 8100, which requires characteristic prostrating attacks occurring on average once every two months to warrant a compensable rating. The objective medical evidence does not show such frequency and severity.
- Claimed conditions
- tinnitus, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), an acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as sleep disturbance, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 25, 2018
- Citation
- 18144530
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 18144530.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- 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.
- 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.
- Granted
The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The issues of foot disability and cardiovascular disorder are remanded for additional development.
- 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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