The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and established a 20 percent evaluation for the Veteran's left ankle strain. Service connection was denied for bilateral hearing loss, pulmonary disorder, right foot bunion, left foot bunion, right hand disorder, right CTS, and sleep apnea.
The deciding factor: The May 2010 VA audiometric examination established that the Veteran had tinnitus, but did not meet the criteria for service connection for hearing loss under 38 C.F.R. § 3.385. The left ankle strain was found to have been manifested by no more than marked functional limitation of motion with pain.
- Claimed conditions
- tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, pulmonary disorder (COPD, bronchitis, pulmonary nodules), right foot bunion, left foot bunion, right hand disorder, right carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), sleep disorder (obstructive sleep apnea)
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- Burn pits / airborne hazards
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 27, 2015
- Citation
- 1517969
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 1517969.
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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