The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is denied as the evidence does not support a finding that it began during active service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for insomnia, including as secondary to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune or secondary to tinnitus, is denied. The Board finds no credible evidence of the onset of insomnia during service and concludes that it is not related to service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches, including as secondary to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune or secondary to tinnitus, is denied. The Board finds no credible evidence of the onset of headaches during service and concludes that they are not related to service.
The deciding factor: The preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran's tinnitus began during active service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.,There is no credible evidence of the onset of insomnia during service and the Board finds it unlikely that the Veteran's insomnia is related to his exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune or secondary to his tinnitus received in service.,The preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran's headaches began during active service or are otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.
- Claimed conditions
- tinnitus, insomnia, headaches
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- Camp Lejeune water
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 15, 2019
- Citation
- 19186368
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.
- 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.
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