The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted, and his increased rating claim for Intervertebral Disc Syndrome (IVDS), C3-4 (neck) in excess of 20 percent is remanded.
The deciding factor: The Veteran provided credible testimony regarding his noise exposure during service and subsequent development of tinnitus. The Board found that the Veteran's statements were internally consistent and entitled to probative weight, leading to a grant of service connection for tinnitus. For the increased rating claim, the Veteran testified about worsening symptoms not adequately addressed in previous examinations.
- Claimed conditions
- tinnitus, Intervertebral Disc Syndrome (IVDS), C3-4 (neck)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 100%
- Decision date
- June 19, 2018
- Citation
- 18112200
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 18112200.
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.
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