The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connection due to the evidence being in equipoise regarding its onset during service.,Service connection for a respiratory disability, including chronic cough (also claimed as bronchitis and rhinitis), is granted based on the evidence showing it began during service.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's tinnitus was diagnosed post-service but his statements about experiencing symptoms in service are credible. The VA examiner did not adequately consider these statements, leading to a finding of equipoise.,There were multiple STRs noting cough and the Veteran reported having chronic cough during service. His current diagnosis aligns with this history.
- Claimed conditions
- tinnitus, respiratory disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 10, 2024
- Citation
- 24001560
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 24001560.
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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