The Veteran's service connection claims for chronic bronchitis with COPD, frostbite injuries to both feet, cervical spine degenerative disc disease, left hip arthritis, and bilateral hearing loss were granted effective September 27, 2002. His claim for tinnitus was granted effective August 17, 2006.
The deciding factor: The claims were based on the Veteran's service records showing his exposure to cold environments during service which led to these conditions.
- Claimed conditions
- Chronic Bronchitis with COPD, Frostbite injury to the right foot with peripheral neuropathy, Frostbite injury to the left foot with peripheral neuropathy, Degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, Degenerative arthritis of the left hip, Bilateral hearing loss
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- July 25, 2012
- Citation
- 1225731
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 1225731.
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 degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, finding that there is no nexus between the current disability and active duty service.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for a low back disorder was reopened, and his claims for increased ratings of bilateral knee instability were granted. His hearing loss claim was denied.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeals of the initial ratings for his service-connected chronic cough and bilateral hearing loss are remanded due to procedural errors in the evidentiary record.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral pes planus with hammer toes, hallux valgus and degenerative arthritis, sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and bilateral kidney cysts, rendered him unable to secure or follow gainful employment. The Board granted the TDIU based on these conditions.
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