The Board has granted the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for tinnitus and right ear hearing loss, as well as service connection for nicotine dependence. The low back disorder and arthritis of the left wrist and knee are found to be related to service. However, no new or material evidence was presented to reopen the previously denied claims for these conditions.
The deciding factor: The veteran's current evaluations for tinnitus and right ear hearing loss were found to meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation under VA rating criteria. Service connection for nicotine dependence as a residual of smoking is granted, but service connection for low back disorder and arthritis of the left wrist and knee was not reopened due to lack of new or material evidence.
- Claimed conditions
- Low back disorder, including degenerative joint disease, Arthritis of left wrist and left knee
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- August 8, 2001
- Citation
- 0120310
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 0120310.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
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- Granted
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