The Board granted a higher rating of 20 percent for the veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain and DDD of the lumbar spine, effective November 16, 2007. The claim was denied for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, migraine headaches, tinnitus, and hypertension.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the veteran's low back disability met the criteria for a higher rating under the amended regulations as of November 16, 2007, but did not meet the criteria prior to that date.
- Claimed conditions
- Bilateral hearing loss, Migraine headaches, Tinnitus, Hypertension, Lumbosacral strain and degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the lumbar spine, Neuropathy of the right lower extremity associated with low back disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- March 26, 2008
- Citation
- 0809950
What this means for you
A partial grant means some issues were granted while others were denied or remanded — common in multi-issue claims. Look at which issues went which way, and how each was argued.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board granted earlier effective dates of November 5, 2021, for the grants of service connection and eligibility for DEA benefits.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, as there was no evidence of a current disability in the right ear and insufficient evidence to establish a nexus between the left ear hearing loss and service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and hypertension, to include as secondary to left orchiectomy, for further development in accordance with the PACT Act.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to in-service noise exposure.
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.