The Veteran's claim for PTSD has been reopened, and he was granted service connection for tinnitus. The claims for bilateral SNHL, sleep apnea, upper extremity peripheral neuropathy (likely due to frostbite), and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are denied.
The deciding factor: The Board found new and material evidence sufficient to reopen the claim of PTSD, and granted service connection for tinnitus based on in-service noise exposure. The claims for other conditions were denied as there was no evidence of such conditions during service or a relationship to cold exposure.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), tinnitus, sleep apnea, right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy (likely due to frostbite), left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy (likely due to frostbite), right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy (likely due to frostbite), left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy (likely due to frostbite)
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 13, 2019
- Citation
- 19146459
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.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including prostate cancer and related disabilities, urinary incontinence, sleep apnea, hypertension, varicose veins, lumbar spine disability, hip arthritis, shoulder arthritis, ankle arthritis, knee strain, knee replacement, and hand arthritis. The only condition granted was a 10 percent rating for a fracture of the right proximal first metacarpal.
- 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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