The Board granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's ringing in his ears began during service and has continued to the present day. The claims for service connection for cervical spine strain, left shoulder strain, right shoulder strain, right knee strain, left knee strain, right lower extremity shin splints, and left lower extremity shin splints were remanded for further development.

The deciding factor: The Veteran's lay statements about the onset and persistence of his symptoms were found to be competent and credible. The Board also noted that tinnitus is an inherently subjective disability capable of lay diagnosis.

Claimed conditions

tinnitus, cervical spine strain, left shoulder strain, right shoulder strain, right knee strain, left knee strain, right lower extremity shin splints, left lower extremity shin splints

How they argued it

Direct service connection

Exposure basis

None

Rating assigned

100%

Decision date

March 4, 2025

Citation

A25019457

Want to see how appeals like this one tend to go? Appeals like mine