The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected, with a grant of service connection for bilateral hearing loss denied.,Prior to January 8, 2020, the Veteran's cervicogenic tension-type headaches are not rated higher than 30 percent. Effective from January 8, 2020, his disability rating is increased to 50 percent.,TDIU was granted prior to November 2, 2015.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's tinnitus had its onset during service and is related to in-service noise exposure. The hearing loss claim is denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between the current condition and service.,Prior to January 8, 2020, the Veteran did not experience very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability. Effective from that date, his headaches are rated at 50 percent due to these symptoms.,The Veteran's service-connected disabilities precluded him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to November 2, 2015.
- Claimed conditions
- tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, cervicogenic tension-type headaches, right lower extremity radiculopathy involving the sciatic nerve, left lower extremity radiculopathy involving the sciatic nerve, right lower extremity radiculopathy involving the femoral nerve, left lower extremity radiculopathy involving the femoral nerve
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- September 9, 2020
- Citation
- 20058959
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 20058959.
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.
- 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.
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