The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, lumbar spine disability (intervertebral disc disease), bilateral knee disability, sleep apnea, and prostate cancer are all denied as there is no evidence of a nexus to service.,Service treatment records do not document any complaints or treatment related to these conditions during the Veteran's active duty.
The deciding factor: The Board found that there was no credible evidence linking the current disabilities to service, including lack of in-service symptoms and diagnoses, and the presumption of soundness applies due to the Veteran's positive history of recurrent back pain at entry into service.
- Claimed conditions
- {"condition_name":"Bilateral Hearing Loss Disability","rating_assigned":null,"effective_date":null}, {"condition_name":"Tinnitus","rating_assigned":null,"effective_date":null}, {"condition_name":"Lumbar Spine Disability (Intervertebral Disc Disease)","rating_assigned":null,"effective_date":null}, {"condition_name":"Bilateral Knee Disability","rating_assigned":null,"effective_date":null}, {"condition_name":"Sleep Apnea","rating_assigned":null,"effective_date":null}, {"condition_name":"Hypertension","rating_assigned":null,"effective_date":null}, {"condition_name":"Prostate Cancer","rating_assigned":null,"effective_date":null}
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 1, 2019
- Citation
- 19159730
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 19159730.
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.
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- 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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