The Veteran's tinnitus developed in service and is granted service connection.,Service connection for non-malignant thyroid nodular disease is denied as the condition did not develop in service or is otherwise unrelated to service. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus claim was previously denied, but he has pre-diabetes which does not meet current disability criteria.,The Veteran's onychomycosis/onychodystrophy affects less than five percent of total body area and no exposed areas, resulting in a non-compensable rating.,Service connection for glaucoma, fatty liver disease, asthma, bilateral plantar fasciitis, lipomas and scars status post excision of lipomas is remanded.
The deciding factor: The Veteran presented credible testimony supporting the presence of tinnitus in service and after service. The Board found that the evidence supported service connection for tinnitus.,Service connection was denied as there was no competent, credible evidence linking non-malignant thyroid nodular disease to service or a service-connected disability based on causation or aggravation.,The Veteran's pre-diabetes did not meet current disability criteria and thus diabetes mellitus is not service connected. The rating for onychomycosis/onychodystrophy was found to be non-compensable as the condition affects less than five percent of total body area and no exposed areas.,Service connection for glaucoma, fatty liver disease, asthma, bilateral plantar fasciitis, lipomas and scars status post excision of lipomas is remanded.
- Claimed conditions
- tinnitus, non-malignant thyroid nodular disease, diabetes mellitus, onychomycosis/onychodystrophy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 18, 2020
- Citation
- 20074036
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,451 · Granted: 22% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 20074036.
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 has remanded the claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to incomplete medical records and need for further examination.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, arthritis, and memory loss. The decision found no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.
- Granted
The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The issues of foot disability and cardiovascular disorder are remanded for additional development.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran experienced tinnitus during his active duty service.
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