The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for tinnitus and service connection for a left leg condition, TMJ, and spinal arthritis of the neck.
The deciding factor: The schedular criteria were found to be adequate to evaluate the Veteran's tinnitus, and there was no evidence of marked interference with employment or frequent periods of hospitalization that would warrant an extraschedular rating. The claims for service connection were dismissed due to the Veteran's intent to pursue his claim at the AOJ level through a supplemental claim process.
- Claimed conditions
- tinnitus, left leg condition (patellofemoral pain syndrome), temporomandibular disorder (TMJ), spinal arthritis of the neck
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- May 28, 2025
- Citation
- A25047374
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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