The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected.,Service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and associated left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve is granted with an effective date of August 28, 2017.,Service connection for bilateral shin splints is remanded due to inadequate medical opinion.,Service connection for bilateral foot disorder, to include plantar fasciitis and bunions, is remanded due to inadequate medical opinion.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's tinnitus was observed during service and has persisted since then. The Board found the Veteran credible in her testimony regarding the onset of tinnitus during service.,Service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and associated left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve is granted as there is a positive nexus opinion linking the current condition to service, specifically noting a herniated disc at L5-S1 during service and a March 2011 MRI showing degenerative signal loss from the disc and disc space narrowing.,The November 2017 VA examination found bilateral shin splints but opined that they were less likely caused by in-service shin splints, citing lack of documentation in STRs. The Board finds this opinion inadequate as it does not account for the Veteran's statements regarding her symptoms during service and throughout her military career.,The November 2017 VA examination found bilateral foot disorder but did not provide a nexus opinion linking current conditions to service. The Board finds this opinion inadequate as it did not address the Veteran's statements regarding her symptoms during service.
- Claimed conditions
- tinnitus, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with associated left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, bilateral shin splints, bilateral foot disorder, to include plantar fasciitis and bunions
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 8, 2019
- Citation
- 19161325
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 19161325.
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.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.