The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder and right knee disabilities, as well as bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated during service.,There is no credible medical evidence linking any of the claimed conditions to service.
The deciding factor: The VA examiners found no nexus between the current diagnoses and service, with the exception of right shoulder and right knee disabilities where they were related to post-service treatment. The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus were not linked to service due to lack of onset within one year of discharge and absence of noise exposure during service.
- Claimed conditions
- {"condition_name":"Right Shoulder Disability"}, {"condition_name":"Right Knee Disability"}, {"condition_name":"Bilateral Hearing Loss"}, {"condition_name":"Tinnitus"}
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 10, 2019
- Citation
- 19144218
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.
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.