The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was denied as there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure or a compensably disabling condition within one year of separation from active duty.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include depression was also denied due to lack of evidence of a disability during the year following separation and current evidence not related to service. ,The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for dermatitis was denied as there is no evidence that at least 5% of his body or exposed areas are affected by the condition.
The deciding factor: There is no competent medical evidence linking tinnitus, an acquired psychiatric disorder to include depression, or dermatitis to service. The Veteran's service records do not show any complaints or findings related to these conditions.,The Veteran did not have a compensably disabling psychosis during the year following separation and there is no current evidence of such condition. There was also no link between his skin disorder and service.,There is no evidence that at least 5% of the Veteran's body or exposed areas are affected by dermatitis, nor any evidence of intermittent systemic therapy required for a total duration of less than six weeks during the past year.
- Claimed conditions
- tinnitus, acquired psychiatric disorder to include depression, dermatitis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 14, 2019
- Citation
- 19146529
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.
- 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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