The Veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection for tinnitus, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression), and heart problems has been granted. The claims for PTSD and depressive disorder have been reopened due to new evidence linking the conditions to a service-connected condition (left knee disability). Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea on secondary basis is also granted. However, service connection for tinnitus, heart problems, and acquired psychiatric disorders are denied.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's current diagnoses of PTSD, depression, and obstructive sleep apnea have been linked to his service-connected left knee disability, establishing a nexus between the conditions and service.
- Claimed conditions
- acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression), heart problems, tinnitus
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 25, 2019
- Citation
- 19113537
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 1,614 · Granted: 35% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 19113537.
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 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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