The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence linking his current tinnitus to active service. The Board also denied a higher initial rating for his lumbosacral spine disability, stating that the symptoms do not warrant an increase in the currently assigned 10 percent rating.,The Veteran's exposure to hazardous noise during service was noted, but this did not result in hearing damage or tinnitus. His current tinnitus is considered within normal limits and unrelated to his military service.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner found no indication of auditory damage during active service and concluded that the Veteran’s current tinnitus is not related to service.
- Claimed conditions
- tinnitus, lumbosacral spine disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 1, 2020
- Citation
- A20015107
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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