The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, liver disorder, and various knee disabilities have been granted. The Veteran is also entitled to an initial compensable rating for his septoplasty.
The deciding factor: The evidence was in equipoise as to whether the Veteran had tinnitus and it was resolved in favor of the Veteran. Service connection was established based on continuity of symptomatology since service. For the knee disabilities, the Board found that there were no new or material pieces of evidence to reopen the claims. The rating for the septoplasty was also granted.
- Claimed conditions
- tinnitus, liver disorder, degenerative arthritis of the right knee with residual scar, right total knee arthroplasty with residual scar, degenerative arthritis of the left knee with residual scar, left total knee arthroplasty with residual scar, status post septoplasty with residual nose deformity and flattening
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 29, 2016
- Citation
- 1617136
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 1617136.
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.
- 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.
- Granted
The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The issues of foot disability and cardiovascular disorder are remanded for additional development.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran experienced tinnitus during his active duty service.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.