The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is granted. The claim for tinnitus is denied. The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating of 10 percent for pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) prior to July 2, 2019, and a higher rating thereafter is granted.
The deciding factor: The evidence supports the grant of service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine due to continuity of symptomatology. The claim for tinnitus was denied as there was no in-service incurrence or aggravation and no current disability related to active service. For pseudofolliculitis barbae, the Veteran's condition is rated based on its impact on his skin, with a 10 percent rating granted due to intermittent systemic therapy.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, Tinnitus, Pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- May 14, 2021
- Citation
- 21029736
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 21029736.
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.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for a higher rating for PTSD and dismissed his appeals regarding increased ratings for tinnitus and a right hand disability due to lack of timely filing of Notice of Disagreement.
- Denied
The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including GAD, MDD, bruxism, migraines/headaches, tinnitus, hip pain, iliotibial band syndrome, and leg stress fractures. The evidence does not support current diagnoses of these conditions during the appeal period.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral pes planus with hammer toes, hallux valgus and degenerative arthritis, sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and bilateral kidney cysts, rendered him unable to secure or follow gainful employment. The Board granted the TDIU based on these conditions.
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