The Board has granted reopening of the previously denied claims for service connection for tinnitus and a lumbar spine disorder. Service connection is also granted for tinnitus, but denied for heart disorder, headache disorder, residuals of head injury, right leg disorder (excluding sciatica), obstructive sleep apnea, and acquired psychiatric disorder.
The deciding factor: The Board found new and material evidence to reopen the claims for service connection for tinnitus and a lumbar spine disorder. Service connection was granted for tinnitus due to current diagnosis in service and post-service records. However, service connection was denied for heart disorder, headache disorder, residuals of head injury, right leg disorder (excluding sciatica), obstructive sleep apnea, and acquired psychiatric disorder as there is no evidence linking these conditions to service.
- Claimed conditions
- tinnitus, lumbar spine disorder, heart disorder, headache disorder, residuals of a head injury, right leg disorder (excluding sciatica), obstructive sleep apnea, acquired psychiatric disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 8, 2019
- Citation
- 19161573
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 19161573.
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.
- 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 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.
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.