The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and a higher rating for tinnitus, and remanded several issues related to his PTSD with major depressive disorder and cannabis use disorder.
The deciding factor: The earliest date of receipt of the Veteran's intent to file a claim was April 9, 2018, which is the earliest effective date that may be established for service connection. For tinnitus, the maximum schedular rating has been assigned, and no higher rating is warranted.
- Claimed conditions
- tinnitus, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with major depressive disorder and cannabis use disorder, lumbosacral strain, right lower extremity radiculopathy associated with lumbosacral strain, left lower extremity radiculopathy associated with lumbosacral strain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 25, 2025
- Citation
- A25027227
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.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for lumbosacral strain, finding that the Veteran's low back injury occurred during a period of active duty for training (ADT) and continued therefrom.
- 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.
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