The Board denied service connection for multiple conditions, including a back condition, hearing loss, tinnitus, diabetes mellitus type 2, and various musculoskeletal disorders. The appeal of the claims for a back condition, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus was dismissed due to untimely notice of disagreement.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not establish an in-service event, injury, or disease that could be connected to any of the claimed conditions, nor was there a connection established between the claimed conditions and service.
- Claimed conditions
- back condition, hearing loss, tinnitus, diabetes mellitus type 2, diabetic neuropathy of the right upper extremity, diabetic neuropathy of the left upper extremity, diabetic neuropathy of the right lower extremity, diabetic neuropathy of the left lower extremity, cervical strain, right shoulder degenerative joint disease, left shoulder degenerative joint disease, right wrist degenerative joint disease, left wrist degenerative joint disease, right hip degenerative joint disease, left hip degenerative joint disease, right knee degenerative joint disease, right ankle degenerative joint disease, left ankle degenerative joint disease, right foot degenerative joint disease, left foot degenerative joint disease, bilateral pes planus, bilateral plantar fasciitis, dyslipidemia
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 30, 2024
- Citation
- A24070184
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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