The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for hearing loss was granted. Service connection for tinnitus was also granted, and the rating for residuals of a fracture of the right ring finger and traumatic bursitis of the right foot were both granted at 10%. The claims for left foot disability are still pending.
The deciding factor: New evidence submitted since the prior final denial provided reasonable doubt that the Veteran has hearing loss. Service connection was reopened based on this new evidence. Tinnitus was found to be service-connected due to credible statements and noise exposure in service. Ratings of 10% were assigned for both right ring finger fracture and bursitis, as these conditions caused painful motion.
- Claimed conditions
- hearing loss, left foot disability, tinnitus, fracture of the right ring finger, bursitis of the right foot
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- April 16, 2019
- Citation
- 19129701
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 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.
- 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).
- 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.
- Granted
The Board granted an effective date of April 25, 2022, for the award of service connection for tinnitus and a 100 percent initial rating for PTSD with alcohol use disorder.
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