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.
- 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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