The Board denied service connection for lower back strain, as there is no current diagnosis of a back condition. The claims for PTSD with cannabis use disorder, moderate, and alcohol use disorder, in remission, and tinnitus are being remanded due to incomplete records regarding the Veteran's active duty and inactive duty reserve service.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not show a current diagnosis of lower back strain, which is required to establish service connection. For PTSD with cannabis use disorder, moderate, and alcohol use disorder, in remission, and tinnitus, there are incomplete records regarding the Veteran's active duty and inactive duty reserve service.
- Claimed conditions
- lower back strain, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with cannabis use disorder, moderate, and alcohol use disorder, in remission, tinnitus
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 6, 2024
- Citation
- A24072386
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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