The appeal for service connection for tinnitus was dismissed due to the Veteran's failure to timely file a Notice of Disagreement.,Service connection for back condition (intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative disc disease of lumbar spine with retrolisthesis of L2 and L3) was denied as there is no evidence linking the current condition to service.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's tinnitus claim was dismissed because it was filed more than one year after the January 2024 rating decision, which is beyond the allowed time frame for filing a Notice of Disagreement.,Service connection for back condition was denied as there were no medical records showing a link between service and the current condition. The Veteran's service treatment records did not mention any complaints or diagnoses related to his back issues.
- Claimed conditions
- tinnitus, intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative disc disease of lumbar spine with retrolisthesis of L2 and L3
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 6, 2026
- Citation
- A26031037
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. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation A26031037.
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A dismissal means the Board did not decide the issue on its merits — usually because it was withdrawn or had become moot.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 has remanded the claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to incomplete medical records and need for further examination.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, arthritis, and memory loss. The decision found no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.
- Granted
The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The issues of foot disability and cardiovascular disorder are remanded for additional development.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran experienced tinnitus during his active duty service.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
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.