The Board denied service connection for tinnitus, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and a neck disability. The decision found that the Veteran's tinnitus did not begin during active service or be related to an in-service injury or disease.,Service connection was also denied for GERD as it is secondary to alcoholism, which the Board determined was due to the Veteran’s own willful misconduct.
The deciding factor: The preponderance of evidence did not support a finding that tinnitus began during active service or be related to an in-service injury or disease. The Veteran's history of head trauma and extensive post-service noise exposure were considered, but found insufficient to establish service connection.,Service connection for GERD was denied as the condition is secondary to alcoholism, which the Board determined was due to the Veteran’s own willful misconduct.
- Claimed conditions
- tinnitus, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), neck disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 6, 2019
- Citation
- 19169405
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 19169405.
What this means for you
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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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