The Board denied service connection for various claimed conditions, including a neck disorder, low back disorder, shoulder disorders, knee disorder, ankle and foot disorders, skin rash, eye disorder, hearing loss, tinnitus, and psychiatric disorder, as the evidence did not support a finding that any of these conditions were related to the Veteran's active service.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner's opinions are probative because they are based on an accurate medical history and provide clear conclusions with supporting data. The evidence does not show that the Veteran's claimed disorders began during service or are otherwise related to his in-service injuries, events, or diseases.
- Claimed conditions
- neck disorder, low back disorder, rotary cuff/shoulder disorders (right and left), knee disorder (left), ankle disorders (right and left), foot disorders (right and left), skin rash, eye disorder (bilateral), hearing loss (bilateral), tinnitus, psychiatric disorder (acquired, to include PTSD)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- July 1, 2025
- Citation
- 25008648
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.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.