The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, back disorder, blood disorder (claimed as myelofibrosis and myeloproliferative disorder), and pruritus are all granted service connection. The Board found the evidence at least in equipoise to support these claims.
The deciding factor: The Board determined that the Veteran's statements regarding his exposure to hazardous noise were credible, and there was a significant tonal threshold shift during service which supported service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. For the back disorder, the Board found the evidence at least in equipoise to support service connection due to in-service complaints of pain and post-service treatment records indicating causation. The blood disorder was conceded as related to exposure to hazardous chemicals and non-ionizing radiation, with supporting private opinions. Service connection for pruritus was granted based on its relationship to the Veteran's blood disorder.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, back disorder, blood disorder (claimed as myelofibrosis and myeloproliferative disorder), pruritus
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 25, 2019
- Citation
- 19149622
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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