The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for thyroid cancer due to new and material evidence. However, it was denied as there is no medical evidence linking his thyroid cancer to service.,Service connection for a left ear disorder (hearing loss, tinnitus, cerumen impaction) was not granted because there is no credible evidence showing exposure to herbicide agents in Korea or any other basis for service connection. The Veteran's statements about symptoms during service are not considered competent medical evidence.,The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder as the preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that it was caused by active duty service. The Veteran did not provide sufficient credible evidence to establish his claim.,Service connection for prostate disorder (benign prostatic hyperplasia) was also denied due to lack of competent medical evidence linking the condition to service, and there is no presumption applicable given the Veteran's service in Korea.,The Board found that urinary frequency did not meet the criteria for service connection as there was insufficient credible evidence provided by the Veteran.
The deciding factor: There is no competent or credible evidence linking the Veteran’s conditions to his active duty service, including exposure to herbicide agents.
- Claimed conditions
- thyroid cancer, left ear disorder (hearing loss, tinnitus, cerumen impaction), low back disorder, prostate disorder (benign prostatic hyperplasia), urinary frequency
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 3, 2019
- Citation
- 19176082
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.
- 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.
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.