The Board dismissed the claims for an initial compensable rating for irritable bowel syndrome, service connection for bilateral hearing loss, mental health disorder, right hand burn scars, and tinnitus as the AOJ did not readjudicate these issues in the May 2024 rating decision. The claim for service connection for cervical strain was denied due to a lack of evidence showing a current disability.
The deciding factor: The Board found no evidence of a current diagnosis or symptoms of a cervical strain or any other cervical disability, and thus denied the claim.
- Claimed conditions
- irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) with history of perirectal abscess and fistula, bilateral hearing loss, mental health disorder, including anxiety and depression, right hand burn scars, tinnitus, cervical strain (also claimed as cervical sprain)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 6, 2025
- Citation
- A25050207
What this means for you
A dismissal means the Board did not decide the issue on its merits — usually because it was withdrawn or had become moot. It says more about procedure than about whether a claim like this can win.
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.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.