The Board granted service connection for tinnitus and a gastrointestinal disability, but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, left knee disability, and dermatitis. The Board also granted a rating of 20 percent for the lumbar spine disability.
The deciding factor: The decision was based on credible evidence that the Veteran's tinnitus began in service and his gastrointestinal symptoms had their onset during service, while there was no evidence of a current disability for bilateral hearing loss or left knee disability. The lumbar spine disability met the criteria for a 20 percent rating due to forward flexion limitation.
- Claimed conditions
- tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, gastrointestinal disability (manifested by acid reflux, bloating, and constipation), left knee disability, bilateral plantar fasciitis, lumbar spine disability, dermatitis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- April 28, 2025
- Citation
- A25038673
What this means for you
A partial grant means some issues were granted while others were denied or remanded — common in multi-issue claims. Look at which issues went which way, and how each was argued.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including prostate cancer and related disabilities, urinary incontinence, sleep apnea, hypertension, varicose veins, lumbar spine disability, hip arthritis, shoulder arthritis, ankle arthritis, knee strain, knee replacement, and hand arthritis. The only condition granted was a 10 percent rating for a fracture of the right proximal first metacarpal.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection for tinnitus to correct a duty to assist error, as the Veteran's lay statements regarding onset and continuity of symptoms were not adequately considered in the previous decision.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew the appeals for service connection for bilateral pes planus, obstructive sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for tinnitus, cubital tunnel syndrome, right plantar fasciitis, and a right knee disability due to the lack of evidence supporting a nexus between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.
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