The Board dismissed the appeal for a rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus. The low back disability was readjudicated and granted service connection, with the opinion that it is at least as likely as not related to peacetime service. Service connection was denied for vision disorder, kidney disorder, left ear hearing loss, and right ear hearing loss.
The deciding factor: The Board found new and relevant evidence submitted by the Veteran after a prior rating decision, which supported readjudicating the claim of entitlement to service connection for low back disability under the direct incurrence theory. The medical opinion provided a favorable nexus between the current low back disability and in-service injury.
- Claimed conditions
- tinnitus, low back disability (chronic mechanical spine syndrome), vision disorder, kidney disorder, left ear hearing loss disability, right ear hearing loss
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 8, 2021
- Citation
- A21019613
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 A21019613.
What this means for you
A dismissal means the Board did not decide the issue on its merits — usually because it was withdrawn or had become moot. It says more about procedure than about whether a claim like this can win.
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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