The Board has determined that the Veteran's hearing loss, tinnitus, bilateral lower extremity disorder, and left foot and ankle disorder are related to service. The claims for these conditions have been granted.
The deciding factor: The evidence shows that the Veteran experienced symptoms of hearing loss and tinnitus since service, and his current disorders are characterized by musculofascial and vascular damage which is related to an in-service injury involving a bomb falling on his legs during service. The VA examiner did not address these specific diagnoses but found them consistent with the natural aging process.
- Claimed conditions
- Hearing Loss, Tinnitus, Bilateral Lower Extremity Disorder (Musculofascial and Vascular Damage), Left Foot and Ankle Disorder (Musculofascial and Vascular Damage)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 29, 2017
- Citation
- 1754420
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 1754420.
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.
- 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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