The Board denied service connection for a back condition secondary to tinnitus and small umbilical hernia, as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to active service or caused by service-connected disabilities.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner's opinions concluded there was no causal relationship between the Veteran's back condition and his tinnitus, nor any in-service incurrence for the small umbilical hernia. The Board found the evidence did not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.
- Claimed conditions
- back condition secondary to service-connected tinnitus, bilateral renal cysts, genitourinary condition, to include voiding dysfunction, urinary frequency, and UTI without hematuria, pulmonary hypertension, small umbilical hernia
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- December 11, 2025
- Citation
- A25107114
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,456 · Granted: 23% (granted or partly granted, in the indexed decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation A25107114.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has found that the Veteran's respiratory conditions, including pulmonary hypertension and hypoxia (claimed as asbestosis), are related to his service exposure. However, due to potential additional exposures during civilian employment, a remand is required for further examination and opinion.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the AOJ erred in not obtaining a VA medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's in-service exposure to herbicide agents caused his cardiogenic shock, valvular heart disease, and/or pulmonary hypertension. The case is being remanded for this purpose.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's essential hypertension and pulmonary hypertension are aggravated by his service-connected cardiac arrhythmia.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for the cause of death due to the Veteran's service-connected cardiac disability, and dismissed the DIC claim as moot.
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