The Veteran's low back disability and several other conditions have been denied service connection. The claims for unspecified depressive disorder, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, sleep apnea, GERD, and erectile dysfunction are remanded.
The deciding factor: Service records do not show any in-service complaints or diagnoses related to the claimed conditions. The Veteran's current conditions were first noted many years after service.
- Claimed conditions
- {"condition_name":"Low back disability","status":"denied"}, {"condition_name":"Unspecified depressive disorder with substance use disorder reported as in full remission (also claimed as depression)","status":"remanded"}, {"condition_name":"Bilateral hearing loss","status":"remanded"}, {"condition_name":"Tinnitus","status":"remanded"}, {"condition_name":"Sleep disorder (sleep apnea)","status":"remanded"}, {"condition_name":"Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) (claimed as gastrointestinal condition)","status":"remanded"}, {"condition_name":"Erectile dysfunction","status":"remanded"}
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 16, 2019
- Citation
- 19104079
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.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, effective from the date of the February 2025 rating decision.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a medical examination to determine if the Veteran's current neck strain is related to his in-service activities.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD due to an inadequate medical opinion.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for myasthenia gravis based on the Veteran's exposure to hazardous substances during his military service.
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