The Veteran's stomach/swallowing disability, including dysphagia with hiatal hernia, is service-connected. The claim for tinnitus is remanded to obtain a VA examination to determine if it is related to in-service noise exposure. Service connection is granted for the cervical spine, bilateral foot, right shoulder, and right hand disabilities based on evidence of current disability and in-service injury or symptomatology.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's stomach/swallowing disability has been established as service-connected due to evidence of a current disability and in-service symptoms. The claim for tinnitus is remanded because the Veteran's statements regarding noise exposure are accepted, but an examination is needed to determine if his current tinnitus is related to this conceded noise exposure.
- Claimed conditions
- Stomach/Swallowing Disability (Dysphagia with Hiatal Hernia), Tinnitus, Cervical Spine Disability, Bilateral Foot Disability, Right Shoulder Disability, Right Hand Disorder (including nerve condition and brittle bones), Left Hand Disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 28, 2012
- Citation
- 1222620
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 1222620.
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.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for a higher rating for PTSD and dismissed his appeals regarding increased ratings for tinnitus and a right hand disability due to lack of timely filing of Notice of Disagreement.
- Denied
The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including GAD, MDD, bruxism, migraines/headaches, tinnitus, hip pain, iliotibial band syndrome, and leg stress fractures. The evidence does not support current diagnoses of these conditions during the appeal period.
- Remanded (sent back)
The claims for service connection for right and left shoulder disabilities are remanded. The claim for sleep disorder (claimed as sleep apnea) remains denied.
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