The Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, and sensory polyneuropathy, bilateral lower extremities, are all granted. The Board found that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to active service, with particular emphasis on noise exposure and herbicide exposure.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's symptoms of hearing loss, tinnitus, and sensory polyneuropathy were linked to his military duties and environmental exposures during service.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, sensory polyneuropathy, bilateral lower extremities
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- Gulf War
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 1, 2019
- Citation
- 19159363
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 19159363.
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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