The Veteran's tinnitus is related to his in-service noise exposure, and service connection for this condition is granted. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 20 percent, effective May 16, 2005. Service connection for the residuals of cold injury (frozen feet) is granted. Service connection for a back disorder (residuals of spinal meningitis) and knee disorders are also granted.
The deciding factor: Service connection was established for tinnitus due to in-service noise exposure, with secondary service connection also granted. Bilateral hearing loss was granted based on current disability and continuity of symptomatology since service discharge. Service connection for cold injury residuals is granted as the Veteran's symptoms have persisted from service to present. Service connection for a back disorder (residuals of spinal meningitis) and knee disorders are granted due to continuity of symptomatology.
- Claimed conditions
- tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, residuals of cold injury (frozen feet), back disorder (residuals of spinal meningitis), left knee disorder, right knee disorder, left ankle disorder, right ankle disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 2, 2010
- Citation
- 1007757
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 1007757.
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
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for asthma and remanded claims for insomnia and sleep apnea. Other conditions were denied.
- 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 multiple conditions, including bilateral hearing loss and various musculoskeletal issues, as well as an initial rating in excess of 0 percent for rhinitis. However, the Board granted a 70 percent rating for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
- 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.
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