The Board denied service connection for lumbar spine, right foot, left foot, tinnitus, carpal tunnel syndrome (right wrist), and carpal tunnel syndrome (left wrist) disabilities. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions began during service or were related to in-service injuries.,The Veteran's current diagnoses of lumbar strain, degenerative disc disease, flatfoot (pes planus), metatarsalgia, hallux valgus, and tinnitus are not considered to be directly related to his military service.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not show a link between the Veteran's current diagnoses and his military service. The VA examiners found no medical records indicating that the Veteran had any complaints or findings pertaining to these conditions until after he left active duty, which is more than 10 years later.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar spine disability, right foot disability, left foot disability, tinnitus, carpal tunnel syndrome, right wrist, carpal tunnel syndrome, left wrist
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 24, 2019
- Citation
- 19180980
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.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including prostate cancer and related disabilities, urinary incontinence, sleep apnea, hypertension, varicose veins, lumbar spine disability, hip arthritis, shoulder arthritis, ankle arthritis, knee strain, knee replacement, and hand arthritis. The only condition granted was a 10 percent rating for a fracture of the right proximal first metacarpal.
- 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.
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