The Board denied service connection for the left and right eye disabilities, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, carpal tunnel syndrome, musculoskeletal disabilities of the neck/upper back and mid/lower back, left knee disability, right knee disability, sinus disability, sleep disturbance, and throat disability as there was no evidence of a superimposed injury or disease during service.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the Veteran's eye conditions were refractive errors not subject to service connection, and there was no evidence of an in-service event or trauma that would support service connection for the other disabilities claimed.
- Claimed conditions
- left eye disability (dry eye syndrome, cataracts, pinguecula), right eye disability (dry eye syndrome, cataracts, pinguecula), chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, carpal tunnel syndrome, musculoskeletal disability (neck/upper back and cervical spine), musculoskeletal disability (mid/lower back and thoracolumbar spine), left knee disability, right knee disability, sinus disability, sleep disability (sleep disturbance), throat disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 8, 2025
- Citation
- A25041756
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.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for scarring, right orchiopexy and remanded the claim of asbestos exposure residuals. Other claims for service connection were denied.
- 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.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for asthma and remanded claims for insomnia and sleep apnea. Other conditions were denied.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew the appeals for service connection for fibromyalgia and Gulf War unexplained chronic multi-symptom illness, bronchus, as well as an extension of the temporary 100 percent disability evaluation.
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