The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be service-connected due to in-service noise exposure. The initial compensable rating for allergic rhinitis remains denied as the evidence does not show nasal polyps or greater than 50 percent obstruction of nasal passages on both sides.,Service connection for ulcer, inflammatory bowel disorder, and gastroesophageal reflux/acid reflux/heartburn is remanded due to insufficient evidence. Further examination may be needed to determine if these conditions are related to service.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's tinnitus was found to have been caused by in-service noise exposure, which is considered a direct link without the need for additional theories of connection.,For allergic rhinitis, while there were no nasal polyps or greater than 50 percent obstruction on both sides, the evidence did not show any other disabling conditions that would warrant a compensable rating.
- Claimed conditions
- tinnitus, ulcer, inflammatory bowel disorder, gastroesophageal reflux/acid reflux/heartburn
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 15, 2019
- Citation
- 19129017
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,316 · Granted: 43% (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 19129017.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
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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