The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection and rated at 10 percent.,For his lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease, the rating remains at 10 percent as there is no evidence of functional impairment warranting a higher rating.,Right hip strain limitation of flexion continues to be rated at 10 percent.,Left hip strain limitation of flexion also remains at 10 percent.,Right hip limitation of extension, right hip impairment of thigh, and left hip limitation of extension are all rated at 0 percent as there is no evidence of functional impairment warranting a higher rating.,Left hip impairment of thigh is also rated at 0 percent for the same reason.

The deciding factor: The Veteran's tinnitus began during active duty service and has remained chronic since then. The Board finds that the evidence is in approximate balance as to whether there is a nexus between the Veteran's tinnitus and military service, granting service connection.,For his lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease, the rating remains at 10 percent because there is no evidence of functional impairment warranting a higher rating. The examiner found that the Veteran’s symptoms do not meet the criteria for ankylosis or other conditions that would justify a higher rating.,Right hip strain limitation of flexion continues to be rated at 10 percent as it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on functional impairment.,Left hip strain limitation of flexion remains at 10 percent due to lack of evidence supporting a higher rating.,Right hip limitation of extension, right hip impairment of thigh, and left hip limitation of extension are all rated at 0 percent as there is no evidence of functional impairment warranting a higher rating.,Left hip impairment of thigh is also rated at 0 percent for the same reason.

Claimed conditions

tinnitus, lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease, right hip strain limitation of flexion, left hip strain limitation of flexion, right hip impairment of thigh, left hip impairment of thigh

How they argued it

Direct service connection

Exposure basis

None

Rating assigned

10%

Decision date

October 22, 2024

Citation

A24067752

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 A24067752.