The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been granted. Service connection is established for sinusitis, lumbosacral degenerative disc disease with IVDS, left lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy, right lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy, and bilateral hearing loss. The initial 40 percent rating for lumbosacral degenerative disc disease with IVDS is maintained, as are the initial 40 percent ratings for left and right lower extremity sciatic radiculopathies effective April 8, 2022. Tinnitus remains at a maximum of 10 percent. Service connection has been reopened for left foot disability, right foot disability, and bilateral hearing loss.
The deciding factor: The evidence supports the reopening of previously denied claims due to new and material evidence being received.
- Claimed conditions
- sinusitis, lumbosacral degenerative disc disease with IVDS, left lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy, right lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy, bilateral hearing loss
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- March 8, 2023
- Citation
- 23013952
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 23013952.
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 bilateral hearing loss, migraine headaches, and PTSD due to additional development of records and examination.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss claim, specifically needing an addendum opinion from a VA examiner. The Veteran will be asked to provide any missing records and former employers' information.
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