The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability and right leg radiculopathy, but denied service connection for cervical spine disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, sleep apnea, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), and elevated cholesterol levels.
The deciding factor: Service connection was established based on direct evidence of the current disabilities being related to service. The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is linked to his in-service injury, while right leg radiculopathy is secondary to a now-connected lumbar spine disability. No credible evidence supports service connection for cervical spine disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, sleep apnea, CTS, or elevated cholesterol levels.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, right leg radiculopathy, sleep apnea, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), elevated cholesterol levels
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- July 12, 2018
- Citation
- 18117871
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 18117871.
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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