The Veteran's tinnitus claim is granted, and he is now entitled to a higher evaluation for his degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine. The right knee disability remains at its current level, but the scar status post lower back surgery receives an increased rating. His bladder disability and peripheral neuropathy are also evaluated based on their respective conditions.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's tinnitus claim is granted as there is a reasonable association with his in-service noise exposure. The degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine now warrants a 20% evaluation, reflecting its current severity. The scar status post lower back surgery receives an increased rating due to persistent pain. The bladder disability and peripheral neuropathy are evaluated based on their respective conditions.
- Claimed conditions
- tinnitus, degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, right knee strain, bladder disability, peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, erectile dysfunction
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- June 13, 2019
- Citation
- 19146060
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.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for left knee strain, right knee strain, right wrist strain, and TBI. The Veteran's PTSD rating was remanded for further development.
- 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.
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