The Veteran's tinnitus claim is granted. The Veteran's sleep apnea claim is denied. The Veteran's right and left knee retropatellar pain syndrome claims are remanded for further development.
The deciding factor: The evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran’s tinnitus is related to his in-service noise exposure, thus granting service connection.
- Claimed conditions
- {"condition_name":"tinnitus"}, {"condition_name":"sleep apnea"}, {"condition_name":"hypertension"}, {"condition_name":"diabetes mellitus"}, {"condition_name":"acid reflux"}, {"condition_name":"erectile dysfunction"}, {"condition_name":"peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity"}, {"condition_name":"peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity"}, {"condition_name":"peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity"}, {"condition_name":"peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity"}, {"condition_name":"bilateral hearing loss disability"}, {"condition_name":"cervical spine disability"}, {"condition_name":"acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD and adjustment disorder)"}
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 21, 2019
- Citation
- 19187634
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.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, effective from the date of the February 2025 rating decision.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a medical examination to determine if the Veteran's current neck strain is related to his in-service activities.
- 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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