The Veteran's service connection for tinnitus is granted.,For the period prior to April 8, 2017, a rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbar DDD L5-S1 is denied. From April 8, 2017, a 40 percent rating is granted and a separate 20 percent rating is granted for each lower extremity radiculopathy.,The Veteran's right knee chondromalacia patella and meniscus residuals are rated at the noncompensable level. The scars on his knees and feet are also rated as noncompensable.,Service connection for PTSD is granted with an initial 50 percent rating, but not higher.
The deciding factor: The evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether the Veteran's current tinnitus is related to his active military service.,Prior to April 8, 2017, the Veteran's low back symptoms more nearly approximated forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine greater than 30 degrees but not greater than 60 degrees. From April 8, 2017, the symptomatology more nearly approximated forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine to 30 degrees or less.,From October 5, 2016, the Veteran experienced right knee pain with noncompensable motion loss associated with chondromalacia. From October 5, 2016, he had right knee meniscus tear residuals that more nearly approximated cartilage, semilunar, symptomatic removal.,The Veteran's right and left knee surgical scars measure no more than 1 centimeter by 1 centimeter (cm), do not more nearly approximate a painful scar, and do not cause additional functional impairment of the affected area. The Veteran's right foot scar manifested by a single painful linear scar without skin instability.,The Veteran's painful right foot scar does not cause any functional impairment of the affected area.
- Claimed conditions
- tinnitus, lumbar degenerative disc disease (DDD) L5-S1, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, right knee chondromalacia patella, scar, right knee, scar, left knee, scar, right foot, scar, left foot
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 22, 2023
- Citation
- 23046530
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 23046530.
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 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.
- Granted
The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The issues of foot disability and cardiovascular disorder are remanded for additional development.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran experienced tinnitus during his active duty service.
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