The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and obstructive sleep apnea are granted. The claim for left small toe disability is dismissed, and the Veteran receives a compensable rating (10%) for ingrown toenail of the left great toe. Service connection for PFB is denied.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the evidence supported service connection for tinnitus and obstructive sleep apnea due to in-service noise exposure and weight gain, respectively. The claim for left small toe disability was dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal. For ingrown toenail of the left great toe, a compensable rating (10%) is assigned based on pain and swelling. Service connection for PFB was denied because it did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.
- Claimed conditions
- tinnitus, obstructive sleep apnea, left small toe disability, ingrown toenail, left great toe, pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- June 14, 2019
- Citation
- 19146672
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 obstructive sleep apnea, effective from the date of the February 2025 rating decision.
- 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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