Tinnitus and sinus disability, to include allergies, spine disability, right elbow disability, left elbow disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, right leg disability (shin splints), and left leg disability (shin splints) have been granted service connection. Bilateral hearing loss has not been established as a disability for VA purposes.,The remaining issues of service connection for these conditions are remanded.
The deciding factor: Tinnitus was diagnosed during active service, and the Veteran reported experiencing tinnitus since service. The Board found that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the diagnosed tinnitus arose during active service.,Hearing loss disability meeting the criteria set forth in 38 C.F.R. § 3.385 was not shown during active service or at any time thereafter.
- Claimed conditions
- tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, sinus disability, spine disability, right elbow disability, left elbow disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, right leg disability (shin splints), left leg disability (shin splints)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 28, 2022
- Citation
- 22036990
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 22036990.
What this means for you
A partial grant means some issues were granted while others were denied or remanded — common in multi-issue claims. Look at which issues went which way, and how each was argued.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess his bilateral knee and hip disabilities.
- 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.
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