The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, low back disorder (lumbar degenerative disc disease), and neck disorder (cervical strain) as these conditions are considered to be directly related to the Veteran's active military service.
The deciding factor: The evidence shows that the Veteran experienced noise exposure during his deployment in Iraq and reported intermittent symptoms of tinnitus since separation from service. For the low back and neck disorders, the Board found credible the Veteran’s report of carrying heavy equipment during his service as a field radio operator, which led to current pain.
- Claimed conditions
- tinnitus, low back disorder (lumbar degenerative disc disease), neck disorder (cervical strain)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 5, 2019
- Citation
- 19183790
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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