The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was granted with an effective date of August 20, 2016.,Service connection for cervical and back disabilities were denied as the evidence did not support a link to active duty service.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations found no current diagnosed disability for the claimed conditions and the Veteran's statements regarding in-service injuries were not supported by medical evidence.
- Claimed conditions
- {"condition_name":"tinnitus","claimed_condition":"tinnitus"}, {"condition_name":"cervical region disability (including cervicalgia and biomechanical lesions cervical regions)","claimed_condition":"lumbago, back pain, mid/low back pain, sacroiliitis, herniated L4-L5, segmental dysfunction of thoracic region to include biomechanical lesions lumbar/thoracic region, intervertebral disc degeneration lumbosacral to include lesions"}, {"condition_name":"back disability (claimed as lumbago, back pain, mid/low back pain, sacroiliitis, herniated L4-L5, segmental dysfunction of thoracic region to include biomechanical lesions lumbar/thoracic region, intervertebral disc degeneration lumbosacral to include lesions)","claimed_condition":"lumbago, back pain, mid/low back pain, sacroiliitis, herniated L4-L5, segmental dysfunction of thoracic region to include biomechanical lesions lumbar/thoracic region, intervertebral disc degeneration lumbosacral to include lesions"}, {"condition_name":"idiopathic ulcerative proctitis (claimed as irritable bowel syndrome with GERD/hiatal hernia/acid reflux)","claimed_condition":"idiopathic ulcerative proctitis (claimed as irritable bowel syndrome with GERD/hiatal hernia/acid reflux)"}, {"condition_name":"unspecified depressive disorder with anxious distress also claimed as PTSD, marital, parent-child problems, and emotional liability","claimed_condition":"unspecified depressive disorder with anxious distress also claimed as PTSD, marital, parent-child problems, and emotional liability"}
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 28, 2020
- Citation
- A20016167
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.
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The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, effective from the date of the February 2025 rating decision.
- Remanded (sent back)
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- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD due to an inadequate medical opinion.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for myasthenia gravis based on the Veteran's exposure to hazardous substances during his military service.
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