The Board denied service connection for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, GERD, pseudofolliculitis barbae, and psoriasis as there was no evidence of a current disability or that the disabilities were related to the Veteran's military service.
The deciding factor: The VA examiners' opinions addressing the direct relationship between the Veteran's current conditions and his in-service noise exposure and TERA were found to be more probative than the Veteran's lay statements, as they considered all pertinent evidence of record and provided clear conclusions with supporting data.
- Claimed conditions
- tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), pseudofolliculitis barbae, psoriasis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 14, 2025
- Citation
- A25034182
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.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and pernicious anemia, and the Board dismissed both appeals.
- 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.
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