The Board denied the claim for service connection for tinnitus as it was not shown to be chronic in service, did not manifest within a presumptive period, and there is no evidence of a causal relationship between the current disability and an in-service injury. The claim for recurrent dyspnea was remanded for further development.
The deciding factor: The Board found that tinnitus was less likely than not related to service due to the lack of evidence showing it within one year of discharge or continuity of symptomatology, and no medical nexus between the Veteran's tinnitus and her in-service noise exposure. The claim for recurrent dyspnea was remanded as the VA examiner did not provide a rationale for their findings.
- Claimed conditions
- tinnitus, recurrent dyspnea, also claimed as shortness of breath
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 9, 2025
- Citation
- A25033001
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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