The Veteran's claim for service connection for hoarseness secondary to his cervical fusion of the lateral intervetebral disc C5-6 has been reopened and granted. The Veteran is also entitled to special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to his multiple service-connected disabilities.
The deciding factor: The new evidence established a current diagnosis of hoarseness and a nexus between it and the cervical fusion of the lateral intervetebral disc C5-6, which was previously denied as there was no medical opinion linking the condition to the service-connected disability. The Veteran's combined service-connected disability rating is 100%, indicating he requires regular aid and attendance.
- Claimed conditions
- hoarseness, hypertensive heart disease, reactive depression, arthritis of the lumbosacral spine with intervertebral disc syndrome, cervical fusion of the lateral intervetebral disc C5-6, residuals of a fracture of the left femur with shortening of the leg and arthritis of the left knee, arthritis of the left hip, arthritis of the right hip, residuals of fracture of the left lower leg with arthritis of the ankle, tinnitus, traumatic choroidal rupture (claimed as eye trouble), bilateral hearing loss
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 100%
- Decision date
- November 18, 2011
- Citation
- 1142576
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 1142576.
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.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for service connection of bilateral hearing loss and a ruptured right ear drum was dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.
- Denied
The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was noted upon entry into active duty service and did not increase in severity during service. Therefore, it denied his claim for service connection.
- 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.
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