The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and degenerative arthritis, bilateral hearing loss, and a heart disability to include congestive heart failure have been granted. The rating assigned is 10 percent for hypertension on and prior to June 7, 2023.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the Veteran's tinnitus, lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and degenerative arthritis, and bilateral hearing loss were related to his active service, including noise exposure. The heart disability was not related to herbicide agent exposure or other toxic exposures during service.
- Claimed conditions
- tinnitus, lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and degenerative arthritis, bilateral hearing loss
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- December 6, 2023
- Citation
- A23034921
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 A23034921.
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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