The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral tinnitus was denied. The Veteran's service connection claims for spermatocele of the right epididymis and lumbosacral strain were granted.,An effective date earlier than August 18, 2015, for the grant of service connection for tinnitus is denied.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral tinnitus was not supported by evidence showing that a higher rating was warranted. The Veteran's service connection claims for spermatocele of the right epididymis and lumbosacral strain were granted based on competent, credible, and probative evidence.,The effective date earlier than August 18, 2015, for the grant of service connection for tinnitus was denied because the Veteran's intent to file a claim for this condition was received on August 18, 2015.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral tinnitus, spermatocele of the right epididymis, lumbosacral strain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 19, 2020
- Citation
- 20041966
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 20041966.
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 Veteran's service connection claims for lumbosacral strain, asthma, melasma and hydradenitis, hypertension, an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as depression, anxiety, and stress), left shoulder disorder, right shoulder disorder, left knee disorder, a left foot disorder, and IBS have been granted. The remaining issues are remanded.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left toe amputation, triple bypass surgery, blockage in legs, and bilateral tinnitus due to procedural errors and the need for additional medical opinions regarding potential exposure to toxins during service.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew their appeal for service connection of a lumbosacral strain, resulting in the dismissal of this issue.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis, finding that it is related to his in-service injury. The claimant did not contest this decision.
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