The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus was denied due to lack of evidence showing in-service incurrence or aggravation.,Service connection for tinnitus is denied as the preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that it began during active duty or is related to noise exposure.,Service connection for a neck disorder is denied as there is no evidence linking the condition to service, and the Veteran's current diagnosis is attributed to natural aging process rather than in-service injury.,Service connection for hypertension is denied due to lack of evidence showing in-service incurrence or aggravation.,Service connection for a right knee disorder is denied as there is no evidence showing it began during active duty or is related to noise exposure.,Service connection for left knee disability is granted with a 20% rating effective from November 14, 2016.,Service connection for lumbar spine disability is denied due to lack of evidence showing in-service incurrence or aggravation.,Service connection for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity is granted with a 10% rating effective from June 11, 2018.,Service connection for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity is denied as there is no evidence showing it began during active duty or is related to noise exposure.,Service connection for somatic symptom disorder with predominant pain is granted with a rating in excess of 70% effective from November 14, 2016.

The deciding factor: The Veteran's diabetes mellitus was not shown to be incurred during service and there is no evidence linking it to noise exposure.,There is no medical opinion linking the Veteran’s tinnitus to his active duty service. The examiner noted that the onset of tinnitus occurred more than 17 years after separation from service, which is beyond the presumed latency period for noise-induced hearing loss.,The Veteran's neck disorder was not diagnosed within one year of separation and there is no evidence linking it to in-service injury or disease.,There is no medical opinion linking hypertension to active duty service. The Veteran’s current diagnosis is attributed to natural aging process rather than in-service incident.,There is no medical opinion linking the right knee disorder to active duty service. The Veteran's current diagnosis is attributed to noise exposure during service.,The left knee disability was not shown to be incurred or aggravated during service and there is no evidence of a pre-existing condition that worsened during service.,The lumbar spine disability was not diagnosed within one year of separation and there is no evidence linking it to in-service injury or disease.,There is no medical opinion linking the radiculopathy of the left lower extremity to active duty service. The Veteran's current diagnosis is attributed to natural aging process rather than in-service incident.,The radiculopathy of the right lower extremity was not shown to be incurred during service and there is no evidence linking it to noise exposure.,Somatic symptom disorder with predominant pain was granted as a result of new evidence showing occupational and social impairment.

Claimed conditions

diabetes mellitus, tinnitus, neck disorder, hypertension, right knee disorder, left knee disability, lumbar spine disability, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, somatic symptom disorder with predominant pain

How they argued it

Direct service connection

Exposure basis

None

Rating assigned

20%

Decision date

February 4, 2021

Citation

21006626

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 21006626.