The Veteran's Hodgkin’s lymphoma is related to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, and the claim for service connection has been granted.,Service connection for bilateral shin splints was denied as there is no current diagnosis of a disability.,Service connection for hearing loss was denied due to lack of audiometric test results meeting VA's definition of a disability.,Service connection for tinnitus was denied as the Veteran did not provide evidence showing it manifested during service or within one year following separation from service.,Service connection for erectile dysfunction, thyroid disability, and right hip disability were all denied based on insufficient evidence to establish a nexus between the conditions and service.
The deciding factor: The private physician's opinion supported by detailed rationale found that the Veteran’s Hodgkin’s lymphoma was etiologically related to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.,There is no current diagnosis of bilateral shin splints in the medical records, and VA examinations did not find any such disability.,VA audiological examination results showed no audiometric test meeting the regulatory definition for a hearing loss disability.,The Veteran's tinnitus was denied as there is insufficient evidence to show it manifested during service or within one year following separation from service.
- Claimed conditions
- Hodgkin’s lymphoma carcinoma, bilateral shin splints, hearing loss, tinnitus, erectile dysfunction, thyroid disability, right hip disability
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- Camp Lejeune water
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 3, 2019
- Citation
- 19100624
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection for tinnitus to correct a duty to assist error, as the Veteran's lay statements regarding onset and continuity of symptoms were not adequately considered in the previous decision.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew the appeals for service connection for bilateral pes planus, obstructive sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for tinnitus, cubital tunnel syndrome, right plantar fasciitis, and a right knee disability due to the lack of evidence supporting a nexus between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.
- Granted
The Board granted an effective date of April 25, 2022, for the award of service connection for tinnitus and a 100 percent initial rating for PTSD with alcohol use disorder.
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