The Board granted service connection for tinnitus and a temporary total disability rating following left knee surgery. The Veteran's depression was rated at 60 percent, with the possibility of an increased rating to 70 percent if he could not maintain employment due to his disabilities.
The deciding factor: The decision is based on the Veteran's credible lay statements regarding in-service noise exposure and chronic tinnitus, as well as medical evidence supporting a current diagnosis of tinnitus related to service. For the left knee disability, the Board found that a higher rating was not warranted given the range of motion findings. The depression rating was increased from 60 percent to 70 percent due to the Veteran's credible lay statements and other medical evidence indicating his baseline level of impairment.
- Claimed conditions
- tinnitus, left knee osteochondritis dissecans
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- October 2, 2018
- Citation
- 18140184
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 18140184.
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.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for asthma and remanded claims for insomnia and sleep apnea. Other conditions were denied.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew the appeals for service connection for bilateral pes planus, obstructive sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection for tinnitus to correct a duty to assist error, as the Veteran's lay statements regarding onset and continuity of symptoms were not adequately considered in the previous decision.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for tinnitus, cubital tunnel syndrome, right plantar fasciitis, and a right knee disability due to the lack of evidence supporting a nexus between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.
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