The Board denied service connection for bilateral tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's tinnitus is not related to his military service.,The Board also denied service connection for sleep apnea with hypersomnolence as secondary to a service-connected deviated septum. The Board concluded there was no current diagnosis of sleep apnea or other sleep-related disability in the record.,Regarding bilateral ingrown toenails, the Board found that while the Veteran reported pain and instability, his condition did not meet criteria for a compensable evaluation under VA rating criteria.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not support a finding of service connection for tinnitus due to lack of in-service complaints or findings, and no credible continuity of symptoms post-service.,There was insufficient medical evidence to establish the Veteran had sleep apnea. The Board found that while the Veteran reported upper airway resistance syndrome with excessive daytime sleepiness, there was no confirmed diagnosis of sleep apnea from a sleep study.,The VA examiner concluded that the ingrown toenails were not deep or associated with underlying tissue damage and did not cause limitation of motion. Therefore, they did not meet criteria for a compensable evaluation under VA rating criteria.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral tinnitus, sleep apnea with hypersomnolence, bilateral ingrown toenails
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 27, 2018
- Citation
- 18152607
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 18152607.
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 has remanded the claims for service connection for left toe amputation, triple bypass surgery, blockage in legs, and bilateral tinnitus due to procedural errors and the need for additional medical opinions regarding potential exposure to toxins during service.
- Granted
The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected major depressive disorder.,The Veteran's bilateral tinnitus is granted based on in-service noise exposure and current diagnosis.,The Veteran's Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is granted due to presumptive service connection for exposure at Fort McClellan, Alabama.,The Veteran's status post total shoulder replacement, to include degenerative arthritis, is granted as incurred in service.,The Veteran's scar, residual right shoulder surgery, is granted as it is related to his now service-connected status post total shoulder replacement.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for bilateral tinnitus and normocytic anemia as secondary to service-connected chronic hemorrhoids. The claim of entitlement to service connection for left inguinal hernia is remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's conditions are causally related to his in-service hazardous noise exposure. The Board considered the Veteran's credible testimony regarding the onset of these conditions during service.
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.