The Veteran's application to reopen the claim for service connection for right ear tinnitus was granted. The claims for joint pain and abnormal heartbeat were denied as new and material evidence has not been received.,The Veteran's PTSD with alcohol use disorder and anxiety is currently rated at 50% prior to October 18, 2019, and the claim for an increased rating in excess of 50% from that date forward was denied.
The deciding factor: New evidence submitted since the last final denial supports reopening the claims but does not establish service connection.
- Claimed conditions
- Right ear tinnitus, Joint pain, Abnormal heartbeat
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 11, 2020
- Citation
- 20059805
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 20059805.
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 Veteran's claim for service connection for allergic rhinitis, muscle pain, joint pain, sleep disturbances, chronic fatigue, migraine headaches, and sleep apnea is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and examinations.
- Granted
The Veteran's claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric disabilities, right and left ear tinnitus, and knee disabilities have been granted. The hearing loss claims are being remanded.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for joint pain, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, hypertension prior to August 10, 2022, and a bowel disorder due to inadequacies in the medical opinions provided.
- Partly granted
The appeal was withdrawn and dismissed for hearing loss, a headache disability, joint pain, memory loss, and fatigue. Tinnitus was granted due to service connection. Other issues were remanded.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.