The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and increased initial evaluations for his cervical spine and L5-S1 spondylosis disabilities have been granted. The Veteran is currently assigned a 10 percent evaluation for his L5-S1 spondylosis with spondylolisthesis and sacroilitis prior to December 4, 2001, and a 10 percent evaluation for his degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine prior to June 11, 2001.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service treatment records do not clearly reflect his lumbar range of motion at the time of service discharge. The VA examinations conducted prior to September 26, 2003, established that he had mild limitation of motion of the lumbar spine prior to December 4, 2001.
- Claimed conditions
- tinnitus, left leg disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- May 20, 2010
- Citation
- 1018755
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 1018755.
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).
- 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.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for tinnitus, cubital tunnel syndrome, right plantar fasciitis, and a right knee disability due to the lack of evidence supporting a nexus between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.
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