The Veteran's tinnitus is considered to have had its onset during his military service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.,The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the spine was incurred as a result of in-service duties, specifically parachute jumps. The Board has also granted service connection for this condition.,The Veteran's residuals of frostbite of both feet are considered to have had its onset during his military service and the Board has granted service connection for these conditions.
The deciding factor: The June 2012 VA examination noted that the Veteran’s tinnitus was related to in-service noise exposure, but the December 2015 VA examiner found no evidence of hearing loss. The Veteran's statements at his April 2012 VA examination established the nexus element.,The January 2016 VA neurologist and Dr. D.M.'s opinion supported that the Veteran’s back disorder was related to in-service parachute jumps, as he earned a Senior Parachutist Badge and completed between 60-80 parachute jumps with full pack including radio equipment and weapon.,The July 2011 VA examination noted the Veteran's frostbite residuals of both feet were diagnosed. The January 2016 VA examiner confirmed this diagnosis, linking it to his in-service training at Dugway Proving Ground where he was required to march overnight in snow without proper cold weather boots.
- Claimed conditions
- tinnitus, degenerative arthritis of the spine, residuals of frostbite of the left foot, residuals of frostbite of the right foot
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 6, 2018
- Citation
- 18132478
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 18132478.
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.