The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is denied. The left fifth metacarpal condition and PTSD are granted, but the initial increased ratings for these conditions are denied. Bilateral hearing loss, right inguinal hernia, and hip osteoarthritis claims are remanded.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's reports of tinnitus were inconsistent, leading to a finding that he has had no disability of tinnitus during the appeal period. The left fifth metacarpal condition is granted as it began during service due to an in-service fracture. PTSD symptoms do not meet the criteria for total occupational and social impairment.
- Claimed conditions
- tinnitus, left fifth metacarpal condition, left wrist sprain residual of in-service fracture, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), bilateral hearing loss, right inguinal hernia, right hip osteoarthritis with limited extension and painful motion, left hip osteoarthritis with limited extension, left hip osteoarthritis with limited adduction and abduction, left hip osteoarthritis with limited flexion
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 70%
- Decision date
- January 8, 2020
- Citation
- 20001632
Veterans Law Judge
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 20001632.
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.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for service connection of bilateral hearing loss and a ruptured right ear drum was dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.
- Denied
The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was noted upon entry into active duty service and did not increase in severity during service. Therefore, it denied his claim for service connection.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to incomplete medical records and need for further examination.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including bipolar disorder and PTSD. The Veteran will be asked to provide additional medical records and undergo a VA examination.
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