The Board found that the severance of service connection for various conditions was proper due to the appellant's other than honorable discharge from active duty.
The deciding factor: The February 2014 rating decision granting entitlement to service connection was based on clear and unmistakable error as it did not verify veteran status prior to awarding benefits, which is a prerequisite for VA eligibility.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral shoulder condition status post AC separation, post operative deep vein thrombosis right leg, sexual disorder NOS, status post right knee meniscus tear with surgery, tinnitus, right knee scars, status post pulmonary embolism secondary to right knee surgery
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 30, 2025
- Citation
- A25056345
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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