The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection. The initial rating for his low back disability is denied, but a higher rating of 60 percent is granted from February 13, 2015 to the present. Ratings in excess of 10 percent are denied for neuropathy of both lower extremities secondary to the low back disability.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's tinnitus was found to have been incurred during service due to his MOS as a field radio operator and noise exposure, resolving doubt in favor of the claimant. The initial rating for his low back disability is denied because there were no incapacitating episodes within the past 12 months. A higher rating of 60 percent is granted from February 13, 2015 to the present based on intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS). Ratings in excess of 10 percent for neuropathy are denied as they do not meet the criteria for such ratings.
- Claimed conditions
- tinnitus, low back disability, neuropathy of the left lower extremity, neuropathy of the right lower extremity
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- July 12, 2018
- Citation
- 18117780
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 18117780.
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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