The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's exposure to noise during active duty service is sufficient evidence of in-service incurrence. Service connection was denied for neck disability due to willful misconduct.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner found no link between the Veteran’s current tinnitus and his military service, but the Board applied the benefit-of-the-doubt rule and granted service connection based on the Veteran's credible reports of noise exposure in service. For the neck disability, the Board determined that it was caused by willful misconduct (drinking alcohol) during active duty.
- Claimed conditions
- {"condition_name":"tinnitus"}, {"condition_name":"neck disability"}
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 21, 2019
- Citation
- 19187424
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.
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- Remanded (sent back)
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- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD due to an inadequate medical opinion.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for myasthenia gravis based on the Veteran's exposure to hazardous substances during his military service.
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