The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection of a back disability was granted. Service connection for tinnitus and an increased rating for left ankle disability were also granted, while the issues regarding PTSD and TDIU are remanded.
The deciding factor: New evidence supported reopening the claim for service connection of a back disability as secondary to the left ankle disability. The Veteran's tinnitus had its onset during active duty service, meeting presumptive service connection criteria. The left ankle disability was found to have moderate limitation of motion, warranting a 20% rating.
- Claimed conditions
- back disability, tinnitus, left ankle disability
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- March 26, 2020
- Citation
- 20021600
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 20021600.
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 has expanded the scope of the claim to include any mental health disorder raised by the record and has remanded for additional development regarding service connection for left leg, ankle, and psychiatric disabilities.
- 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.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, arthritis, and memory loss. The decision found no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.
- Granted
The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The issues of foot disability and cardiovascular disorder are remanded for additional development.
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