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Denied

Service connection for tinnitus is granted.,Service connection for residuals of pseudofolliculitis barbae is granted.,Service connection for a bilateral shoulder disorder, residuals of a fractured left great toe, residuals of a fractured right thumb, and residuals of an injured left hamstring are denied.,Service connection for a neck disorder is denied.

The deciding factor: The Veteran's tinnitus began in service and was linked to noise exposure. The Board found that the symptoms were related to service.,Pseudofolliculitis barbae residuals began in service and are considered chronic as it has been present for over a year without interruption. The Board concluded that the condition is related to service.,There is no evidence of current shoulder disorder, fractured left great toe, or fractured right thumb. There was no injury noted during service. Therefore, service connection cannot be granted.,The Veteran's neck disorder has not been diagnosed and there is no evidence linking it to service. The Board denied the claim based on lack of a nexus between service and current condition.

Claimed conditions
tinnitus, residuals of pseudofolliculitis barbae, bilateral shoulder disorder, residuals of a fractured left great toe, residuals of a fractured right thumb, residuals of an injured left hamstring, neck disorder
How they argued it
Direct service connection
Exposure basis
None
Rating assigned
None in this decision
Decision date
March 9, 2018
Citation
1814611

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 1814611.

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